Comments on: Top Ten Reasons Why There Are No Motorcycles on the Road

By: V Twin Motorcycle Tires

V Twin Motorcycle Tires — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:29:15 +0000

Actually, number 3 applies for me. My husband says i cannot go for rides in the evening. He says that i wave a lot of people and it being an evening ride, you never know what could happen. I become sullen but, i have to obey. No word. No say.

By: Otter

Otter — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:31:00 +0000

There’s a certain solidarity amongst bikers who suffer together, especially in rain and cold. I would wave to the other riders braving the conditions more, but I don’t want to take my hands off the heated grips…

By: Charlie6

Charlie6 — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:07:08 +0000

Ditto on what Irondad said re hot summer days and the sun beating down on the motorcycle's leather seats and such.

I carry small stretch covers that cover the seat on my motorcycles to protect against the sun here in Colorado....we're one mile closer to the sun you know! : )

The ural gets a cover too, to keep freezing rain from collecting on the moving parts and freezing them solid....

dom

Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

By: irondad

irondad — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:36:34 +0000

Re: covering the bike at work.

When I had a different job and actually had to leave the bike parked outside all day I often covered it in the summer. Not the full cover, but one of those covers that protected the top of the bike.

Unlike some Bards from Penn State, I ride no matter the temp. Imagine leaving a bike outside under the boiling sun all day. Plays havoc with seat covers and the plastic on the bike. Especially with a bike like the ST where the fairing pockets are sort of a Rubbermaid material.

Just food for thought from a Road Warrior.

By: Joe Wall

Joe Wall — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:19:28 +0000

It's pretty congested in the Baltimore-DC corridor, but for someone riding at a sub 250cc scooter pace (i.e. me on a 150cc 2-stroke, having not yet shed that thirty pounds of flab I put on in the chaos of changing careers), there's a lot of adventures to be had. You just have to sort of get your eyes tuned into that "what was that thing I saw in a flicker through the trees?" frequency, and before long, you're trundling up the overgrown drive of an abandoned mental hospital, tracing the back roads of the enormous New Deal-era agricultural research center, or duck-paddling your way over a little red clay hump down by the old gravel pit to find a recently-tended apiary in the middle of absolutely nowhere.

That's part of what I most love about the fact that my scoot can't just pick up and fly--it really cultivates awareness. Plus, it helps that there's a little escape hatch out to the west, where I can hop on the swooping, curling farm route, MD 144, and sneak out of the morass to Frederick and then to points further out, where the development's creeping in, but at a leisurely pace. I've got a cabin not far from Berkeley Springs, though it's 121 miles from home, so it's not a regular ride just yet.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:25:03 +0000

Orin: We are right at the cusp of riding weather for the vast majority of riders. Have the rain depart and the temperature increase a few more degrees and the valley will rumble from the sound of power!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:23:47 +0000

SpannerX: Keeping a blog up is work even if you enjoy it. I am surprised that I'm still at it. Must be something I haven't quite said yet...

Love the story about the Big Ruckus. On more than one occasion I have parked next to a big cruiser just to take a picture. So far I haven't offended anyone enough to have them move their bike though.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:21:13 +0000

chessie: Riders have a wide range of opinions on when you can or can't ride. I think I might consider writing something about that -- delve into the rider psyche and see what's there.

Thanks for the kind words about the post.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:19:42 +0000

Joe Wall: There certainly are plenty of motorcycles around here -- far more than scooters. A lot of times when I see the scooters it's late in the day, early evening, and the people riding are those who are transportation riders rather than recreational ones. I suppose that would explain part of it.

I can't imagine riding between DC and Baltimore. All my experience has been on the Beltways and even in a car it's no fun. I've seen sportbikes racing through traffic but it's not for me.

I don't consciously try to set a two wheel example but I suppose people do see me at times and wonder...

I ride more for the peace of mind and simple pleasures that come with it. Getting 65 to 70 mpg is a nice side benefit though!

By: Orin

Orin — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:23:42 +0000

Yesterday was the first sunny day with a temperature above 60°F in Western Washington in 2011. I would say every operational motorcycle and scooter in this part of the state was on the road yesterday. As was I, leading a group down to Lynnwood for a big MC/scooter dealer's "season opener" event.

It's cloudy and raining now. : (

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool