riding with old friends on rice rockets. I just heard a bike coming down the street, and looked outisde and saw a friend I used to ride with every weekend for many years. This was in the speed demon days. It has been about 5 years or so I guess. there he was on his Aprillia in his black full one piece leathers with his squid helmet. I have no problem with wearing appropriate protection, but I am greateful that I don't ride like I used to with him anymore. It was always about one thing only, and that is who was the fastest. I was safe enough to never get injured or crashed, and this guy taught me how to ride the twisties, but Thank god I have moved on. The danger factor of riding like I used to was a lot higher than it is now. I saw him at the local biker hang a couple of weeks ago, and once he found out I rode a Harley now, jsut sort of disappeared. Can you say shallow.

 

Appears to be a measure of maturity, or lack thereof.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1638/0C52BE3429E64A9AA7A5E8163891C49F.jpg[/IMG]

 

Yup, "shallow."

 

Anubisss,

You'll be riding and grinnin when you are 80+ and able to put flowers on his grave every year.

 

Its not about how fast you get there, it's how cool you look when you arrive..................BG

 

Maturity is a good thing. That is way we have cruisers

 

Never wanted to be a Power Ranger. Those bikes are very nice and high tech but I'm just too old to put all my weight on my wrists and crank my head back so I can see over the windshield. If I would have had a crotch rocket I'd be dead by now. My Harley is plenty fast for me and I don't need a back treatment after I get off. I sell crotch rockets (cruisers and ATV's too) for a living and I can't tell you how many I've seen come back in a couple of weeks needing all the plastic replaced.

 

I don't push it as hard now that I'm older either - sometimes it's just about enjoying the ride.

 

It's always about enjoying the ride!

 

I sold my sportbike about 4 months ago....shortly after I purchased my Harley. Unless I was at the track or Deal's Gap, I just don't enjoy riding the sportbike as much. I really enjoy just cruising.

Most everyone I ride with has already traded their sportibkes in on HD's already. The few that didn't aren't squids, they know how to ride so I don't mind riding with them. (even though I'm sure they don't want to ride with an Harley...lol)

Mark