On 2003-01-05 18:22, Redwolf wrote:
Well, my hubby rides a Vulcan, and I’m going to take the MSF Riders class this spring…does that count? >
Counts like two !
Do you intend getting your own bike ?
(btw what means MSF ?)
Possibly. I’ve always kinda wanted to learn to ride, and taking the course is the first step…I figure I’ll decide from there whether I’m ready for my own bike or not. There’s a little Buell at the SC Hog dealership that I’m thinking might make a good first bike for me…it’s all twisties up here in the mountains. My dream bike, however, is a Heritage Softtail
Bikes are very much a part of Santa Cruz culture…with 300 or so days of sunshine per year, and lots of great mountain roads (not to mention our proximity to Hollister!), it’s a natural.
MSF is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They offer both the Basic Riders’ course and the Advanced Riders’course in communties across the country. Here in California, there’s been such a reduction in motorcycle accidents since the course was implemented, you get a significant break on your insurance if you pass it, and can even get your license without having to take the ride test (a good thing, since most big cruisers CAN’T pass the ride test, no matter how good their riders…it was designed with little 70’s-vintage Japanese bikes in mind, and has never been updated). It’s highly recommended by all the dealerships hereabouts. Hubby took the basic course last spring, and was tremendously impressed…he plans to take the advanced course this spring.
Talking about dream bikes: when I was about 11 years old, I took a ride on my father’s Peugeot Mobylette. From that moment on I was hooked. When I was 14, I dreamt of a Honda Dax - those funny little things with small wheels. Unfortunately my parents were strictly opposed to any motorbike. So I had to wait until age 21 when I earned some money with holiday jobs (selling fried sausages) to get my first bike: a Honda CB 250 N. After 1 year I sold it to get a BMW R 60/5 which was going to be the love of my life. There is still an unfulfilled dream though: Moto Guzzi V7.
TWIN POWER RULES!
It’s been many years since I’ve had my Honda 400. It was a gutless wonder that deserved a better mechanic (which at the time was me). I still dream of having another bike, but it’s just not a practical reality for me right now. How’s about I live vicariously through yuz guys
On 2003-01-05 18:22, Redwolf wrote:
Well, my hubby rides a Vulcan, and I’m going to take the MSF Riders class this spring…does that count? >
Redwolf
Great idea, and a great course! Have your husband take the advanced riders’ course while you’re at it. I rode a '79 Yamaha 650 Special for almost 20 years. Put over 150,000 miles on it, with an engine rebuild about half way through. Then the second kid came along and I traded it in for a station wagon. Ah, well, it’s easier to carry the drums in the car anyway.
You’re right, Zubivka-TANSTAASNM. (There aint no such thing as a small Norton motorcycle.) -It was “just” a borrowed 750, but bigger than my thumper wannabe 125 & 350 cc bikes, and handled much, much, much better.
Brian O.
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2003-01-06 00:41 ]
On 2003-01-05 18:22, Redwolf wrote:
Well, my hubby rides a Vulcan, and I’m going to take the MSF Riders class this spring…does that count? >
Redwolf
Great idea, and a great course! Have your husband take the advanced riders’ course while you’re at it. I rode a '79 Yamaha 650 Special for almost 20 years. Put over 150,000 miles on it, with an engine rebuild about half way through. Then the second kid came along and I traded it in for a station wagon. Ah, well, it’s easier to carry the drums in the car anyway.
He plans to take the advanced course…in fact, he started planning to take it after he took the basic course last spring, as he was so impressed with the course and the instructor.
Our daughter loves the bike too…she especially loves it when dad takes her to school in the morning…coolest ride in the parking lot! She wants a dirt bike, but it’s a moot point, as we have no place for her to ride one near by and no pick up to take it someplace else.
One thing I’ll say about you Europeans, you make some beautiful bikes. I love the Ducati, Norton, BSA, Triumph, etc. But if dreams come true, when I get the kids through college I’ll find an old Vincent to put around on in my old age.
Meaning that Voxan thing
Looks like a Buell whose father dated a Mobylette…
I’d better buy a Velocette from Mead&Thompkinson, if these still around…
Or did you mean really mean Black Shadow made in (gasp) France?
OK you ain’t got a Laverda, just a Lazzura…
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2003-01-06 09:04 ]
NB : Of airhead BflatMW, sold my second R100R black series last summer. I still own the R100 RS. Purchased it back. from Lambert, world champion road passenger with Camathias at the bars. Semi-kneeler side-hack, welded non-removeable chassis, Paris-Dakar giant tank and deep oil pan. However, it is in bad condition, now.
Still very much a biking newbie really. I took my CBT (compulsory basic training) certificate in May last year on my XVS125 Drag Star, then spent the summer glued to the thing and puttering (yes, it only putters) round as much of Scotland as I could get. She’s in dry dock at the moment because I am going to get my big bike licence and trade up as soon as possible and I wanted to keep her clean. But I miss the freedom more than I thought I would.
Don’t know what to trade up to, however. I like a bike to look like a bike and not a blender, hence the XVS125. I reely wanna Harley but it’s not very practical for commuting in Edinburgh weather or touring in Scotland’s weather either. Can’t wait to start looking!
When you’re ready, tell your budgte, and they’re already plenty folks here with enough experience to help you with sound non-commercial advice!
And there are pretty good deals on some used “custom” japanese bikes.
Here take one maybe unusual. The Suzuki Savage LS650 thumper for instance! Great bike if you like your footpegs far front and hands up, which seems the case.
It has more torque one can expect from a 650, more of the true Harley 1300 and up motor feeling than any other japanese “custom” I ever rode. You even get the belt drive! The versions I rode still had 4 gears only and I never thought it needed the 5th they now added.
Now, it’s so light and low it’s a commuter’s dream, and it pulled me easy through sleet+snow in Paris (winter ca. 1988) when anyone else was skiddin’
:roll:
