My new toy:-)

RobS · Apr 9, 2003

I am only 25 so I try to avoid the distinction that I am irresponsible by being careful and not doing anything that might get me killed in a hurry but when I get into my 40's then I might take some chances 

Firstly, nice bike! Secondly, good outlook on being careful. When I was 25 or so I had a series of motorcycles. My favorite was a Kawasaki GpZ550. Beautiful bike but I spent too much time at high speed and generally not being careful. I did wear a helmet and leathers that probably saved my life. I ended up hitting a pickup truck after sliding in some gravel around a curve. Bike was totalled but I "only" got a broken wrist. Still have some hardware in it as a memento. I stuck with fast bikes for a couple more years and had a Honda V45 interceptor. Also a nice bike but I started getting this uneasy feeling while riding. Finally, on a record setting run from Indy to South Bend (less than 2 hours!) I got a huge ticket. That was my wake up call so I sold the bike and settled down a bit. Glad I did as I am now into my 40s and still here to talk about it. Doubt I'll ever get a motorcycle again but it was fun. I'm glad I had those experiences. Have fun, but keep your head and be careful.

Again, nice bike. Ever wonder why you don't see old sport bikes around... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Robert_in_NY · Apr 9, 2003

No, I have never wondered why you don't see old sport bikes around. I try not to think about certain things like that /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Spencer · Apr 9, 2003

( Finally, on a record setting run from Indy to South Bend (less than 2 hours!) I got a huge ticket. That was my wake up call so I sold the bike and settled down a bit. Glad I did as I am now into my 40s and still here to talk about it. Doubt I'll ever get a motorcycle again but it was fun. )

Hey, don't give up riding just do it in the dirt! I know you like playing in the dirt.

RobS · Apr 9, 2003

Hey, don't give up riding just do it in the dirt 

Actually, I still ride as much or more now than I did back then. Only difference is now I supply the horsepower through my own legs instead of an engine /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Robert_in_NY · Apr 12, 2003

Well, I finally put some miles on the 954. Bike runs great and it puts the power to the ground quite well. Also, added another new toy to my collection. Bought a 1973 Honda CB 350 for $180. Bike runs good but needs some cleaning up and painting. Will be a fun project when I get some spare time /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MossRoad · Apr 12, 2003

Ever wonder why you don't see old sport bikes around... 

 I ended up hitting a pickup truck after sliding in some gravel around a curve. Bike was totalled 

I think you answered your own question. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Hey Rob,

'77 Yamaha RD400.
South Bend, IN.
Riverside Drive.
North from Angela Blvd to Boland Dr.
Never had it below 90! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Anyway, I was a very irresponsible youth. I finally slowed down after I met my wife. Bought some wheely bars and took it drag racing a few years over at Oceola. Best time was 11.98 in the quarter mile. Not bad for a 400CC bike. Lots of fun on the track. Much safer and not a menace to society. Finally blew it up and never repaired it, since I had kids. Still have it, though. Just in little pieces. Some day I might restore it just for fun.

MossRoad · Apr 12, 2003

Good points.

Another time to crash is the first day you take it out of storage after a winter of rest. You hop on, rev it up and take off only to find you have lost much of your riding skills over the winter. I did this once and ended up missing a curve. I ended up driving across several lawns until I got it under control. Big scare.

RobS · Apr 13, 2003

Hey, welcome back Dave! I rode an RD400 once, that was quite a bike.

 South Bend, IN.
Riverside Drive.
North from Angela Blvd to Boland Dr. 

I ride that same stretch every week on our Thursday night training ride... just a tad slower though under human power. I can see where someone could get in trouble on a motorcycle with the bumps and curbs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · Apr 13, 2003

( a mature and experienced rider to safely--comparaitively speaking-- ride such a machine )

OK, as long as you include that "comparatively speaking" comment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I always say, if you ride a motorcycle, you don't think about whether it's going to hurt you, but when and how bad, because sooner or later it's gonna get you; you just hope it ain't too bad. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MikePA · Apr 13, 2003

...because sooner or later it's gonna get you; you just hope it ain't too bad. 
There were 2 instructors at the Motorcycle Riders Safety course, I took prior to getting a MC endorsement on my drivers license. One rode a MC to the class, as did some of the students, while the other always arrived in a car, regardless of the weather. After the 3rd or 4th lesson I asked the guy who always arrived by car why he didn't ride a MC to the class. "Don't own a MC anymore.", he replied. Thinking this odd for an instructor of the MRS course, I asked why. "Got married and had kids, wanna be around to see them grow up."

Bird · Apr 13, 2003

Mike, when I joined the police department and the chaplain was talking to the recruit class (29 of us), he asked how many wanted to be motorcycle officers. I think at least 8 or 10 held up their hands. Then the chaplain said, "I always get to know the motorcycle officers better than any of the others because I visit them in the hospital." /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Boone · Apr 15, 2003

MR,
I once rode the RD400 back in the day, had to grab the seat with the butt to keep from sliding off.
Sold HD at a dealership for awhile, depressing job when you read about your customer's death in the paper. Used to come into work on Monday and go back into the garage off the shop and see the wrecked bikes from the weekend, very depressing.

s1120 · Apr 15, 2003

77rd400??? I got one sitting in the garage. I suprised a lot of people with that bike. A true gaint killer. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

I don't get to ride it much anymore, and have been thinking of selling her, but not meany experanced riders around that want "only" a 400cc bike. If they only knew.

MikePA · Apr 15, 2003

If you like motorcycles, particularly Harley choppers, tune into the American Chopper series on the Discovery channel, Monday nights at 10:00 PM. It's repeated a number of times during the week. Great looking bikes and the interaction between the father and son at Orange County Choppers is great, too.

Robert_in_NY · Apr 15, 2003

I like all motor cycles but hardly get the time to watch TV. I will try to tune in to watch it though. Thanks

MossRoad · Apr 16, 2003

A true giant killer 

You got that right. The only bike I gave respect to was the Kawasaki H2. Anyone remember the banshee scream of that bike? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 16, 2003

One of my best friends and his little brother bought an H2 and an H1. The 500? was fast and that 750 was just stupidly fast, you could do anything you wanted to on that bike but turn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif At that time I had a R65LS BMW I could outhandle them with ease but on the staight they would do the Loan Ranger impersonation and leave me in a cloud of dust(smoke). But the good news from that was the mosquitos would leave me alone for a long time when we got back home /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Cheers
Tony

s1120 · Apr 16, 2003

Oh ya. I had/have an old h1 also. Of corse thats in a pile of parts waiting to be sold, or scrapped. They were killers, thats for sure.

Spencer · Apr 16, 2003

( Do you have a pic of your bike as I love to see other peoples toys as well as share mine. )

I finally dug the bike out of the shed last night and washed it. I took it for a spin, brought it home and lubed up the chain. I thought I might as well take the picture (attached) you asked for while I had it cleaned up. It's no crotch rocket but I could get a ticket with it every day if I wanted to. I only ride it around town, and then do my playing in the dirt. My nephew just got a new Honda XR80 last week. I will be going up to their 80 acres with my Suzuki to go riding with him this Saturday. This 35 year old is going to have a great time riding around in the fields with a 10 year old.