Previous PM in history | Previous PM | Next PM


Message subject: What Year is it?
From: kitimom65
Sent at: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:24 am
To: headmaster

Message

It is a 2005 couldn't tell ya what model it is tho. We are changing the buddy pegs to foot boards tho cuz of the muscle spams I am having in my right foot. I have tried moving it into various postions, but nothing seems to help. Sine he works in a shop, there are plenty of old parts laying around the parts room and we found a set sunday when we went to show a customer a sportster.
I am having another problem, tho and I know you can be of help. I really enjoy riding, but this weekend was only my 2nd time on the bike and he decides to teach me the "hard lean" which scared the Be-Jesus outta me!!! Mind you the easy lean is comfortable and I have no problem with it, but when he did the hard lean I thought it was gunna fall over and I almost hyperventalated!!!
I trust him exsplicitly, but exactly how far can you lean on the bike BEFORE it will topple over and road rash insues? Also, We are noticing 2 very different classes of riders just in our small town. There are 2 shops here (which I know is rare) and we visited each one of them Saturday.
Shop A: Older shop (est 1974) I have dealt with them in the past when I was a teenager and was into the "biker look". Nice, down to earth people, friendly, and welcoming. Had SEVERAL customers in on that day (mostly in their trucks due to the heavy rain) Most of the customers and the staff are like us: Kinda redneck-y, with my man's hair being long and my clothes being tight and short. I dropped a 40 on them and plan on returning for future business.
Shop B: The newer dealership in town, seems to cater to the "rich biking types" in town. There was ONE customer in the shop, plenty of staff. Snubbed us when we came in, owner didn't say 2 words to us the entire time we were there. "Girls" behind the counter looked to be about 15 or 16 and were rude and snobby. We left after about 5 minutes and plan on NEVER coming back.
The reason I give this discriptive background: while out riding, we see numerous other HD riders and we always wave to them in passing. Most of the time, we recieve a wave in return, BUT we have noticed that there is an increasing number of The Sop B crowd out there that do not recognize our waves of friendship and snub us. Have you noticed this in your area as well? Has there always been a 2 group divison? Hell, when you go out in a boat, all the other boaters wave to each other, regardless of they type of boat they are in. What is up with the riders?

The thing about snobs...... don't let some fool(s) ruin your good time.
I've been ridin for decades and wave to every one that waves to me first. I'll give a nod to everyone and smile as long as I've
got my wind screen on. Enjoy your time on two wheels since you'll never get enough!!
As for the leaning, a couple times I've hit oilslicks in a corners where the bike slid out sideways... probably looked really cool to anyone that saw it, but totally by accident. I figure if the bike didn't crash out from under me when that happened then leaning into corners no matter how hard is pretty safe. Just don't keep leaning when you hear the floorboards scraping......
Keep the Shiny Side UP and you're doing great!!
RoadKing

Hi kitimom65,
It will take a little time to get use to leaning your bike. It may get scary but you have to do it, to make a turn. The more you ride the better you will get. Let me know at the end of summer how you are doing.

About the snobs don't let them bother you. You will have more fun by waving and saying hi to everyone and the ones that don't respond forget about it. Anytime that I ride a passenger I tell them to wave at every bike that we pass. They have a great time and the ones that didn't wave back who cares.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ya'll!!
Shorty (My man) has complimemted me on how much I have improved with my leaning. It wasn't easy on some of them but as he said, "Just grab a hold and hang on; I ain't gunna get ya hurt" And so far he ain't and now, I just sit back, put my hands on my thighs and enjoy the ride!!!
As for the snobs, I just wave like crazy at them!! LOL!!! Hell, I am having a good time.
I have noticed and Shorty has schooled me in "handsigns" of riders. I kinda knew there was some kind of a code cuz some folks will give ya a thumbs up, some will give a peace sign, and then some will give ya a hand straight out, but pointing down. He has a hobby of learning about bike clubs and their origins and "hand signs", so I asked him about it one day. It was very intresting...
He began riding at the tender age of 14, he is now 54: 12 years my senior but he is the sun in my sky and the moon in my night. He has been ever so patient with me thru my "brat fits" when we would lean too hard on the first couple of trips, and is always pattin me on the leg to let me know that I am doing ok. God bless his heart....

And that is exactly how it works! Glad to hear that you are really enjoying life on the bike.