Who rides motorcycles?

[Darth_DMack]

I used to race 600cc and 1000cc bikes as well as Super Twins on an SV650. I was a track day coach and for 15 years, every weekend for the most part, I was on the race track, travelling as a privateer.

Said that, the faster I was on the track, the slower I was on the street. Blind corners, off camber, sand, gravel and other hazards like oil and antifreeze really made me show restraint.

Even on my GSXR, I rode with restraint. Now, on my GS Adventure, I find myself pushing it hard...

But Saturday, I want out to a local track, to watch my buddy do a few sessions. The smell, the sounds... just brought me back. I didn't realize how much I missed track days...

But, I also realize I'm 55 now, and don't bounce as well as I used to.

 

[3930dave]

I absolutely LOVE the Goldwing. I was on a GSXR1000 on the Tail of the Dragon one day, and got in behind a school bus yellow Wing, pulling a small color matched trailer. This guy was giving it the what for! I was riding at my upper edge of comfort zone, in full leathers, for a street pace. This guy was making me work to stay with him.

One of the guys I used to race with, brought his Wing out for a track day once... it too, was the school bus yellow. I went for a few laps two up with him... those big bikes will skin it back... and they are very comfortable as well!

LOL ! Many people (including me, intermediate street-rider) would not expect to hear that !

Reminds me of an old Cycle (or ?) article.... out tour-testing machines, something broke down on a gloomy day, deserted stretch of road. Killing time, one of the tribe passed the time sweeping by repeatedly, wheelying a Wing.

My inner wrench-geek cringes at what that front-end ^ was going through, but the visual did/does make me smile.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

IMO Wing's are about passenger comfort but they're almost overkill for a solo rig. Versions w/o the big trunk a little less so but still an 1800cc, 6 cylinder engine in an 800+ pound motorcycle just seems excessive. LOL but that didn't stop me from buying one and to celebrate my 70th birthday last year I rode it out to Montana.

Somewhere in the U.P.


I believe this road was in South Dakota, the gravel road was in nice shape and I only saw a few pick ups so not much dust.


Being July it was hot in western SD/eastern MT, the thermometer showed 106 here. Surprisingly the Wing funnels engine heat away very well and is one of the cooler faired bikes I've ridden. But it was still a hot 102 at 7pm so got a motel room that night.


As I continued west across MT the next day, elevation rose and temps dropped.


Some solo helmet time is just what I needed, I had a delightful 2 weeks riding small roads across the mid-west and back.

Total overkill, so you bought one..... you wouldn't be distant kin to a fella named Jay Leno, would ya ?

Heading out the door to work just now - had to say, thanks for those pics, and description of the trip - I feel more peaceful just reading and looking at those.... considering I'm heading off to Work, AND they had that effect - well, another rider would understand the power of just 2 wheel pics....

Rgds, D.

 

[LouNY]

My favorite touring bikes were the Yamaha Ventures from the 80's. Comfortable, smooth, a nice V4 power plant and quite well appointed for the day. Ran them for many years till I ended up with a Harley Ultra Limited.

 

[deserteagle71]

But, I also realize I'm 55 now, and don't bounce as well as I used to.

That's exactly where I'm at and preparing to sell my bike. But...I'm crowding 80 now. I still thought I was Ricky Racer when I was 55.

 

[Milo]

Thank you, Dave. It was a nice trip, and one of those that the Goldwing felt right for.

Interestingly last month I did a similar ride out to Oregon but on a Moto Guzzi V100 Stelvio and while I enjoyed it, I don't think I did as much as the prior year on the Wing. For one the temperature was awfully hot when I left in late June, seemed like I ran into many more road construction delays. The bike puts out a lot of engine heat around 90 degrees and over where the Wing did not. In Iowa, due to flooding, 7-8 long detours. Decided to ride through the Black Hills since I hadn't for 15 years or so and found the area crawling with tourists.
I did take a couple hours to sight see through Badlands NP which was nice (image below was from there).
Idaho and Oregon were nice though and it did cool down some for my return back to WV.

Next year? If I can go I've been thinking of Newfoundland.

 

[Darth_DMack]

Thank you, Dave. It was a nice trip, and one of those that the Goldwing felt right for.

Interestingly last month I did a similar ride out to Oregon but on a Moto Guzzi V100 Stelvio and while I enjoyed it, I don't think I did as much as the prior year on the Wing. For one the temperature was awfully hot when I left in late June, seemed like I ran into many more road construction delays. The bike puts out a lot of engine heat around 90 degrees and over where the Wing did not. In Iowa, due to flooding, 7-8 long detours. Decided to ride through the Black Hills since I hadn't for 15 years or so and found the area crawling with tourists.
I did take a couple hours to sight see through Badlands NP which was nice (image below was from there).
Idaho and Oregon were nice though and it did cool down some for my return back to WV.

Next year? If I can go I've been thinking of Newfoundland.

I've always LOVED the Guzzi bikes... never owned or ridden one, but love the way they sound, as well as the way they look.

I wouldn't mind having one of these as a second or third bike.

Stelvio - Moto Guzzi Store USA & Canada

A century of motorcycling history, always looking forward, with the ability to innovate while remaining faithful to its values and traditions.

storeusa.motoguzzi.com

 

[Darth_DMack]

This one has my attention as well!

Moto Guzzi Store USA & Canada

A century of motorcycling history, always looking forward, with the ability to innovate while remaining faithful to its values and traditions.

storeusa.motoguzzi.com

 

[CalG]

I used to race 600cc and 1000cc bikes as well as Super Twins on an SV650. I was a track day coach and for 15 years, every weekend for the most part, I was on the race track, travelling as a privateer.

Said that, the faster I was on the track, the slower I was on the street. Blind corners, off camber, sand, gravel and other hazards like oil and antifreeze really made me show restraint.

Even on my GSXR, I rode with restraint. Now, on my GS Adventure, I find myself pushing it hard...

But Saturday, I want out to a local track, to watch my buddy do a few sessions. The smell, the sounds... just brought me back. I didn't realize how much I missed track days...

But, I also realize I'm 55 now, and don't bounce as well as I used to.View attachment 937224

View attachment 937227

Good post

Just wait till you are 70.

Bounce like a haky sak.

 

[Darth_DMack]

Good post

Just wait till you are 70.

Bounce like a haky sak.

That made me laugh... I also spent the better part of 25 years leaping from aircraft whilst in flight... so, my knees are HORRIBLE. The thought of shifting back and forth on a track bike, makes my knees SCREAM at me.

My mind says... "I can do it... I'm still 25!"
My body says... "Oh yeah? Hold my beer!"