Any motorsickle enthusiasts out there?

[Mike Bama]

Mrs. Bama, (Janis) have traveled in 34 states just in the past 7 years, since I got my 99 Electra Glide. We have been as far west as the Grand Canyon, and as far north as Montana. We prefer west of the Mississippi because it is less populated. My longevity at UPS affords me 8-9 weeks a year off, so we usually do one 2-3 week "out west" trip, and a few shorter "back east" trips.
I have been off work for 2 months recovering from rotator cuff repair, and have missed riding this summer. We hope to make a trip to the Outer Banks N.C. in August, then up to Fayetteville, W.V. in October for bridge day.
Having grown up in a motorcycle friendly household, you could say it's in my blood. My father bought my first bike in 1966, (Honda 65), when I was 13. At that time he commuted on a 1949 Cushman. Those were the days.
I have owned Harleys since the mid 70's. "Then Came Bronson" inspired me at a young age to buy a Harley, and upon returning from the service in the 74, I did just that. While in college, in 1975 I averaged 2000 miles a month for the first year I owned my Sportster. Sold it in 77, bought a 76 Electra Glide. Sold in in 93, and bought a 94 Heritage Softail. Sold in 98 and bought the 99 Electra Glide.The rest is history. :)
In closing I would like to point out, I have no "mine is better than yours" attitude. The important thing is that you "just ride". it doesn't matter *what* you ride, as long *as* you ride. :)
Who knows? As much as we travel, we may see you, some day! :thmbsp:

A few more travel pics here:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/mikebama/PersonalSpace.aspx

[gonzo]

Mike B,I was a scooter rider for a while,had a 76 Sportster.I spent more time working on that one than riding,my father in law gave me an RD-Yamaha 400 Daytona.It was 2 cycle 1 down 5 up a missle,was stolen.My last one was a Suzuki GS-1150-ES Cafe Racer,Bassoni Header,Dyna Jet Carb,Varnet Clutch red and white.To make a long story short,I became vested with IDS retirement and insurance for the family and long haul.The agent took one look at it in the garage and said "it goes or I go".Guess who the wife sided with?I miss it so much but Austin has gotten so dangerous.Love your scooter.

[Wardsweb]

How about a 48 Indian?

[Wardsweb]

Or Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa for "go fast"

http://wardsweb.org/busa/pics/busa4_012001.jpg

[jcmjrt]

I'm also a motorcycle rider but as a whole I prefer small, light motos that are fun in the twisties - 400cc's is good. Luckily, there's a fair amount of twisty riding available around here. I also do trackdays with very small motos - 50ccs on a go kart track where you are almost constantly in a turn one way or the other. That's some physically challenging riding! Whatever, time on two wheels is quality time.

[Mike Bama]

Wardsweb, very impressive. Roll the rest of em out. :banana:
I remember a test article on a Hayabusa when they first came out. The writer explained he was flying up a freeway onramp, running about 100 in third, and said he did what any sane person would do. He pulled in the clutch, shifted to 4th, and give it another hand full of throttle. :yikes:

[Don C]

Tiddlers are cool too.

[Mike Bama]

I know everyone has seen this at one time or another.

[Celt]

I like old Triumphs (despite the fact that they leave their bodily fluids everywhere they go :rolleyes: ) and admire shaft-driven BMW's.

[Andyman]

I've got the itch a bit this spring myself. I've been bike free for around 3 years, ever since I damn near gave away my 1982 Suzuki GS1100GKZ. I've had 6 bikes since the mid 70s, (1972 Suzuki T500J, Suzuki GT380, 1975 Yamaha DT175B, 1972 Yamaha RD350, 1979 Suzuki GS1000, and the GS1100GKZ) and prolly have ridden well over 100,000 miles on them. Biggest trip was my 1985 "Highest Points" trip down the SE US, Rode from Pittsburgh to Orlando and back (In August, what a maroon!!) and hit the highest points of all the states down along the way. Used the Blue Ridge parkway as a main route from Front Royal, VA down to around Asheville, NC. BEAUTIFUL RIDE!!!! I did get screwed by the weather on the way home as I had to drive 100s of miles through the remnants of Hurricane Danny; I HATE driving in the rain. It stings, is cold (even with a fairing), and makes the road slimy and slick.

BTW, that GS1000 had NO problem busting 100 mph halfway down a freeway on ramp in WV. It was just getting into the top of 3rd when I decided I didn't need a $200 ticket and backed off.

Nothing like a ride in the twisties to clear out the cobwebs, but nothing sucks like 1-2 hours on the slab to GET to the twisties in the first place. Pittsburgh was great because WV was only an hour away and the entire terrain is much more interesting/hilly than the mega boring flatlands of MI and WI.

Maybe I'll find some old 1980s Suzuki/Honda/Kawasaki this summer scrounging around for a song??? :yes:

Oooops, I just remembered. On my backpack in Europe thrip in 1984, my ex roomate let me ride his Suzuki GS400 from Munich to the KonigSee,and from Munich down to Neuschwanstein. That was fun. The Konigsee return bleww because it rained and was cold; froze my arse off and spent an hour in a hot bath warming up back in Munich. Bike only would do 95-100 mph and was regularily passed by big black Mercedes. Great days back then! :yes:

[Donny]

I sold this one about 10months ago. Now I ride ATV's and dirtbikes.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/Evilone318/nighthawk1.jpg

[outlawmws]

No pic's of mine. I'ts currently burried in the garage. I never did get "Into" street bikes because of my Dad's influence (Murdercycles). It took all my persuasiveness to get him to let me build a stingray 5 speed bike into a "motorcycle" using a Brigg's lawnmower engine... We rode that thing all over and it evolved from straight up, to dirt bike, to cafe racer to chopper over a couple of years of swapping parts around...

Then my wife has lost a Step brother and a cousin to M'cycle accidents and very nearly her brother, so a fair amount of negative pressure has always been there. Nontheless, My bike is a 66 Honda Trail 90 I picked up at a yard sale as a hunting project for $20. about 200 or so later it was trail ready. I have since picked up a "parts bike" that may get put back together as another trail bike, since I have nearly all the parts...

These things will go about anywhere when geared down for the trails... They are getting quite popular to restore and can cost a pretty penny these days! Mine will get a full camo treatment as its just too rough to do a dress restore on.

[tom1356]

My VTX-1800 Retro. I'm thinkng the new Honda Rune would look great parked next to it in the garage. :banana:

[grumpy]

Been riding since i was 14. Had a GS850L for the last 12 or so years.

[tentoze]

Walked away from what was left of a Superglide lying twisted up in the ditch on LA 1 south of Baton Rouge in mid-80's. Swore I'd never get on another one. So far, been good to my word.

[Kerb]

I rode for 30 years before I had to give it up due to health issues.

Here's a bike I built from the ground up in the early 90s.

http://ricemaster45.homestead.com/files/fnished_pan11.jpg

[SkyJumper]

Motorcycles...........right behind skydiving though lol.

[LBPete]

I know everyone has seen this at one time or another.Looks like Monument Valley Arizona to me.
- Pete

[Spawndn72]

99' Buell M2 Cyclone here. :) Torque is a good thing :banana:

[Fisherdude]

Had seven over a period of years. Last was a Sportster. Once did 0-100 in about half a block in a 35 mph zone in front of California State University-Fresno on a friend's Kawasaki 1000 with a small front chain sprocket. Thing would pull tree stumps out of the ground!

[jcmjrt]

High revs or high torque, it's all fun to play with! Nighthawks are definitely cool. I love older standards too! Anything on two wheels is fun. About the only thing that I haven't riden is a dirt bike and ya' know I'd like to try that too.

[Yamaha B-2]

I'm also a motorcycle rider but as a whole I prefer small, light motos that are fun in the twisties - 400cc's is good. Luckily, there's a fair amount of twisty riding available around here. I also do trackdays with very small motos - 50ccs on a go kart track where you are almost constantly in a turn one way or the other. That's some physically challenging riding! Whatever, time on two wheels is quality time.Vintage stereo and vintage motorcycles. How can it get any better. Currently have a '72 Triumph T100R, '73 Honda CB-350(4), '81 Kawasaki KZ-550(4) and '84 Honda CB-200. Lightweight and nimble. Easy to pick up when my trick knee 'tricks' and I tip over. Used to have an '82 Honda CBX (full dresser). When I tipped over with that sucker it was all I could do to stand it back up. Took some technique. Same with my '84 Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans IV (full Euro spec). But, no more of the heavy monstors for me. Unless, of course, the mood strikes. :D

[nevermind]

I had a few motorbikes but now i'm rebuild a Triumph Bonneville 650 from the seventies.
By the way very nice photos,but that Indian....makes my heart bleed.

[Celt]

I had a few motorbikes but now i'm rebuild a Triumph Bonneville 650 from the seventies.
By the way very nice photos,but that Indian....makes my heart bleed.
No kidding...that pic is now on my PC's desktop! :smoke:

[Telecolor 3007]

If I hadn't that stupid accident the last year I could get a driving licence for motorcycles.
The motorcycle of my dreams:
http://www.computergames.ro/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46282
http://www.computergames.ro/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46283
http://www.computergames.ro/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46284
The most beautifoul part of it:
http://www.computergames.ro/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46285
(I guess you know what is the German source of this Soviet motorcycle)

[LBPete]

It looks like a Ural, made in the Soviet Union from tooling "liberated" from BMW. The Chinese have a version of it too.

- Pete

[Telecolor 3007]

No, it's an "IMZ" M72. Of course, "B.M.W." is the source.
I love side-car motorcycles!

[Mike Bama]

Here is a Ural.

[Fisherdude]

In the "small world" department, Buzz Walneck, of "Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader" magazine, is a cousin of mine and lives just a few miles from me. He's told me he has a warehouse full of classic and collectible motorcycles. Just his garage is enough to make you wet your pants!

[grumpy]

In the "small world" department, Buzz Walneck, of "Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader" magazine, is a cousin of mine and lives just a few miles from me. He's told me he has a warehouse full of classic and collectible motorcycles. Just his garage is enough to make you wet your pants!

Thats cool as hell. I used to buy them all the time.

[nevermind]

"IMZ" - I think that was from Eastern-Germany..?!?!

[Fisherdude]

Anybody heard of the "Roaddog"? 20' long motorcycle with a V-8 engine in it?

Believe it or not, I actually sat on it. This is massive beyond belief. Buzz owns it, and has driven it on a few occasions.

[outlawmws]

Anybody heard of the "Roaddog"? 20' long motorcycle with a V-8 engine in it?

Believe it or not, I actually sat on it. This is massive beyond belief. Buzz owns it, and has driven it on a few occasions.

I don't know if I have seen that one, but I've seen a few V8 and quite a few VW powered 3 wheelers.

BMW made a V8 2 wheeler many years ago. I remember seeing an article on it. It wasn't a car V8, but a small scale MC sized V8...

[Mike Bama]

Anybody heard of the "Roaddog"? 20' long motorcycle with a V-8 engine in it?

Believe it or not, I actually sat on it. This is massive beyond belief. Buzz owns it, and has driven it on a few occasions.
Do you mean Boss Hoss?

http://www.bosshoss.com/products.asp?cid=507347686.364498.572197

Not very practical.

[Don C]

In all of it's glory:

[Fisherdude]

That's it! I've got a poster of it around here somewhere. It actually looks a little better than that picture!

[OvenMaster]

My Grandfather actually worked at the Indian plant in the early '50's. Grandpa took a part or two home each day and after a year had a complete bike that he and my Dad and my Uncles used to ride. :D

Unfortunately, Dad has no clue as to what happened to that bike.

Tom