| Author | Message | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 576 Registered: 9-2003 |
LOL! Sorry for the overly-dramatic title block. This thread is for all of you that ride or are thinking about riding a MOTORCYCLE. If you're interested, please read on...it may just save your life. Last Sunday (10/3), I just completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Experienced (i.,e advanced) Rider Course (ERC). I had wanted to do so for years, but either procrastinated or was not fast enough to register as the classes are small and fill extremely fast. If you ride, you need to take this course! I have been riding safely for nearly twenty years, have logged many, many road miles, and have taught about a dozen friends how to ride and helped them get their MC license endorsements. Regardless, an old dog can still learn new tricks. I particularly was interested in any info or tricks that would increase my personal safety and enjoyment of my chosen sport by incresing my riding skills and prolonging my life and/or bodily integrity (i.e, keping all my arms/legs and my brain/spine intact, LOL!). They class was awesome and the instructors were not only great riders with tons of trouble-free miles on their scoots (35-plus safe yrs. in the saddle for each), but they were great guys as well. We drew the senior instructor for the site (Middlesex Co. Voc./Tech School campus in Piscataway, NJ...located in Rutgers U. Livingston Campus...across from the "Barn" where I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan rock the metal rafters in '86!!!) and his riding partner, both current U.S. Marshalls (the professional fugitive/bounty hunters with badges and guns). One was a MC cop in NYC for five years before being stabbed and subsequently forced to retire in the '80's. They were patient and encouraging and they forced me to utilize my skills and my bike to their maximum. I now feel more confident than ever that I will be able to maneuver my bike to the maximum in the hopes of avoiding any obstacle or calamity that awaits me out on the road. You spend a couple of hours in the morning (it is a full 10:00am to 6;00pm day!) in the classroom learning safety, preparedness and survival skills, then it's out to the riding practice range to practice and hone all aspects of riding skills (excepting high-speed hi-way riding...you are in a parking lot, LOL!). It was amazing to see how many riders, especially those that have many years and miles under their belts, really needed improvement in their basic maneuvering skills! Regardless, of your skill/experience level prior to the course, there wasn't one person (from the best rider of the group to the worst) who didn't have fun and who didn't leave without being a better rider than ever before. As a bonus, any MSF class is State Certified and given by State-licensed Instructors, so it counts as a Defensive Driving Course and is goood for a 5% discount on your CAR insurance and a TWO-Point Reduction in STATE DMV Points! All for only $75 and a day of your weekend time. Sounds like a great deal to me! If you're considering learning to ride, call the MSF or go on-line (www.msf.com). For $175, all you need is a valid permit and to be able to balance a bicycle! They give you a motorcycle and protective gear and you spend 4 hours in a class (Fri. night) and two full days out on the riding range (Sat and Sun). When you are done, if you pass the riding test, you leave with a validated MC license! You also get the insurance and point-reduction benefits. How can you beat that? I enjoyed this class so much, I've decided to apply to be a MSF NJ State-Licensed Motorcycle Instructor! I was actually surprised that my skills were good enough and that almost all the info and wisdom I passed in prior years to my 'students" was correct! I'm all for anything that prolongs my enjoyment of cycling and keeps my skills sharp in order to prolong my life! In addtion, I can share my passion for riding with others in order to keep them safe and hopefully convert many others who would otherwise be too afraid to try to learn how to ride. I figure it's my way to give back to the sport that I love that has truly enriched my life. I simply cannot imagine my life without being able to swing a leg over my Harley and I hope to keep that alive for as long as I am alive, God willing. Moral Of The Story: If you ride, take the course and learn how to be a better, safer rider!. If you don't ride, but think you wanna learn, take the course. It is the only way to go. If it turns out that riding isn't for you (or that you shouldn't be riding at all....MC riding is NOT for everyone!), learn in the safest possible environment and for the least amount of financial outlay! The people I taught in the past were very lucky: I had half a clue on how to ride safe. The rest of you are at the mercy of a friend of a friend or Uncle Barney who "rides" to teach you how to survive on the street. Would you let someone of dubious skills pack your parachute and teach you how to skydive? I thought not....don't do the same when learning to ride a unprotected steel missile down America's dangerous roads! OK, I'm done: time to climb off the soapbox now, LOL! Who knows...if you're in the Garbage, er, um, Garden State and you wanna learn to ride in the appreciable future, you may end up with an Alembic Playing, Harley-riding, Grateful Dead-loving MC instructor. Don't forget to say hello, LOL! (Message edited by kmh364 on October 10, 2004) | ||
| dean_m
Advanced Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 345 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Kevin, Great words of encouragment. I've always wondered myself if it would be worth it to take the course. I've been riding for about 17 some odd years now too. I might have to give it a shot. It's always great to get another rider's perspective on things. On this same topic; I've got a great book for you and anyone that's interested in motorcycles, nature and self preservation. It's called Ghost Rider-Travels On The Healing Road. It's written by Neil Peart, the drummer from Rush. Back in the late 90's he lost his 19 year old daughter in a car crash and then 10mos later, loses his wife to cancer. Contemplating ending his own life, he hopped on his BMW and travelled 55,000 miles in 14 months trying to find a reason to live. He chronicles his travels through the Northwest Territory of Canada into Alaska, Then down the Pacific coastline into Mexico. I'm only about half way through it but man is it heart-wrenching. But in another way very inspiring too. A great read for everyone. Thanks for the heads up on the riding course!!!!! Peace, Dino | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1675 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hoi Brother Paul the fake one (aka Dino), that book really interest me! I am not a motordriver but I Love travel stories especially when they involve travels to the inner self. Can you give me an ISBN number of that book? Paul the bad one PS: when are you touring Europe??? | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 578 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dino: You're welcome. The course is absolutely recommended. You can't lose! For $75 you get an insurance discount, a points reduction, new skills to add to your bag of riding tricks, you have fun (!), you meet new friends and potential riding partners, and maybe take it further (i.e., by becoming an instructor), etc. No matter how long you've been riding, you will take something positive away from this course. Even my roomate, who's a 'RUBie" biker and is a pro car racer, got something out of it. He said to me while we were riding yetsterday that he's never ridden better since he took tht course. High praise indeed from him...he doesn't praise much of anything, LOL! And I taught his *ss how to ride and got him through the DMV licensing test, LOL! For me, this course was a bit of an epiphany. Bikes are my true passion and I've always been a wanna be teacher. My ex-wife discouraged me from become a college professor when prospects for a degreed Electrical Engineer weren't so good, so I never persued that avenue. As stated before, I've taught many people how to ride safely, so I figured now it was time to combine the thing(s) that I love with the things I've always wanted to do. Hopefully, it'll work out for me. BTW, a great way to start even before you take the course is to pick up the "How To Ride Like A Pro" by Jerry "Motorman" Palladino for $29.95 on DVD. It's available on his website or at www.whitehorsepress.com. Highly Recommended! Jerry is an ex-Motor Officer (He's married to the hot blonde that writes a column in one of those freebie monthly biker rags...Full Throttle Magazine...Dr. Barbara? I can't remember exactly.) that was an instructor. The things he can do in close quarters on any bike (he demonsrates with Harley's but goes bigger, much bigger, LOL!) will amaze you...and he aims to teach you how to do it as well! After Seeing Rush this summer on their 30th Anniv. Tour I went on their site and read about Neil Peart's books (there's more than one). I had all intentions of buying it, and then forgot. I must make it part of my "to do" list. I had no prior clue that Peart was a biker and that he had gone through all that hardship. I just thought he never smiled anyway, LOL! J/K. From personal experience I know that a bike takes you to a place spriritually that is great therapy for life's trials and tribulations. Lord knows I've had my share! Paul TBO: ck out www.rush.com or www.whitehorsepress.com for the info on "Ghost Rider" you requested. Also, if you're into introspective travel/journey books, White Horse Press has 'em in spades. There's nothing like the solitude of a motorcycle journey to a strange unknown (to you) place to provoke introspection, whether intended or not. They even have Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries (yes, Castro's Che'!) from when he tooled around South America on a Norton in '51 and 51'. Ck it out and enjoy! We might make a biker out of you yet! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1677 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yep ...my daughter (16!!!!!) went to see the movie (The Motorcycle Diary) about that trip of Che and she was highly moved. She claimed that it was a MUST SEE for me! I think you don't HAVE to be a motorcycle driver to get that experience. I am of the hiking type! I admire bikers but I don't know if it is something for me. But given the fact that my long thought lost brother from Greece likes it ...well ...maybe I should try it once. Rats ...than I got another addiction but according to Mica Harleys and Alembics are giving a good match!!! Many thanks on the books info! Paul the bad one (Message edited by palembic on October 10, 2004) | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 333 Registered: 3-2004 |
Kevin, I believe that if you join and maintain membership in HRC (Honda Rider's Club), that they will pay $75 annually for you to take an MSF course. HRC costs about $35 or so a year and includes roadside assistance as well as a few other perks. It seems that you do have to own a Honda to join, but that represents an awful lot of motorcycle owners. -Bob | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 583 Registered: 9-2003 |
Bob: I actually looked into the HRCA membership. Believe it or not, they don't require Honda ownership, just the $35 beans. I wanted to join because they give you a 10% at Freddie Spencer's High Performance Riding School at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Being a three-time Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion, Freddie has a big *ss and charges A LOT, so the discount versus the membership fee is certainly worth it, LOL!. I am a Lifetime HOG (Harley Owner's Group) member, and I think they'll reimberse me as well for my course fee (I have the form and have filled it out already). I am also a Lifetime AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Member, but I don't remember them offering a rebate on MSF courses. As the premier "Right-To-Ride" motorcycling groups, they really should! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| dean_m
Advanced Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 347 Registered: 7-2002 |
Man, Does anyone on this board sleep???? I posted this last night when I got home from a gig. Woke up this morning to see everyone's post!!!! Looking at the post times.... Brother Paul, you don't have to be a biker to read this believe me. In fact Neil seems to be somewhat of an avid hiker too and he chronicles his hikes at each of his stops as well. The ISBN# is 1-55022-548-0. But as Kevin says, the website might be the easiest way. You never know though, maybe a certain lost brother from Greece might deliver one to your door in the near future. As far as Europe, I might be there sooner than you think. Things are changing around here for me and a new opportunity might come around that may require some European travelling!!! YES!!!! Kevin, I will definately do this. The season is coming to a close here in New England but I'm going to look into it next season. Maybe I can talk my brother-in-law/riding partner into it too. I will probably pick up Neil's other books too as soon as I'm done with this one. He really is a very good writer. Bob, I heard the same thing from one of my Goldwing riding buddies about Honda offereng that deal. Sounds like a great deal. I wonder if H.O.G.(Harley Owner's Group) offers something similar. Peace, Dino(bptfo) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1678 Registered: 9-2002 |
~Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 308 Registered: 9-2002 |
Kevin: PLEASE take pictures when you go to Fast Freddie's school: I'm trying to visualise a Harley knee-dragging amidst the CB-RRs!! Incidentally, HRCA sponsors the rally in Knoxville every year, short tours around the Smokies, Gatlinburg, etc., and they really DON'T care if you are not riding a Honda. ALL of the MSF courses are MORE than worth the time and money, and with the personal cruise missles available today (R1s, GSXRs, etc.) a great gut check as to what you think you know vs. what you really know. When 'Ghost Rider' came out, there was a terrific ride along/interview in CYCLE WORLD. By the way, why doesn't Peter Egan have an ALEMBIC guitar? J o e y | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 309 Registered: 9-2002 |
Kevin: Congratulations on your application to become a MSF Instructor. For those of you don't know, friends, to be an MSFI is about equivalent to being an Instructor Pilot in the Service: You've got to be REALLLLL good. I can't overstate where Kevin talks about all sorts of well-meaning people teaching you bad habits. It's aggravating in music, maybe deadly in motorcycling. I'd also like to recommend RIDER magazine: This is a motor mag for grownups, well written, and covers bikes and attitudes for those of us past our street racing days. Check It Out! J o e y | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 585 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dino: Yes, HOG will re-imburse you for one MSF class per year! ck out www.harley-davidson.com for the real poop. Joey: Thanks much for the props! I truly hope my application is accepted as I certainly exceed all the criteria. My riding skills and safety knowledge are up to par as well. The only thing I'm missing is a sponsorship by an agency such as ABATE or a NJ HOG Chapter (sponsored apps. get first call). I was actually surprised how decent I was riding and how little I really needed to improve. I've got over 45,000mi in saddle time on my current Harley alone, so I guess I learned to throw around that half-ton monster pretty d*mn good, LOL! As a Lifetime AMA Member (since the '80's), I've done a lot of reading on Motorcycle Safety and Street Survival skills. I've had plenty of time to practice what I've read, so I guess the stuff has been seeping in gradually, LOL! As a bonus, NONE of the people I taught to ride have had anything approaching a serious MC accident. I must have imparted some nuggets of wisdom upon them. Either that, or I (and they) have been very lucky, LOL! Amen about that bad advice! Normally, it's just plain aggravating and/or embarassing when it's wrong. On a bike, it could downright ruin your day for the rest of your life! MSF courses are the only guaranteed way to cut away the BS from the plain truth. | ||
| 88persuader
Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 90 Registered: 5-2004 |
I took the course in Mass ... I'm always telling people they should take it. I believe in NH it's mandatory. I haven't taken the "advanced" course but took the new rider's course 6 years ago and thank the stars i did. You wouldn't believe the rider's I've met since who don't even know what counter stearing is! Personally i think it's the smartest $125 I've ever spent! And playing Alembic basses was another very smart choice. (Of course they cost a little more than $125!;-) | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 589 Registered: 9-2003 |
Ray: Good on ya! You started the right way. I wish the MSF existed when I got my bike license. Hell, the NJDMV "course" I took my practical road test on to get my license was a joke! A 90yr-old GrandMa could have passed that riding test with little coaching, LOL! They should make the MSF Begginner's course a requirement in all fifty states! Even before I took my course, I've been telling current riders for years to take the MSF class, and anyone who wants to start learning to ride has been told by me to take the MSF Beginner's class and get their license FIRST and then I will be more than happy to take them out riding with me and teach them some real world stuff. You should strongly consider taking the advanced course. You're never too old to glean something useful from it. They also recommend taking the course at least every other year hence since safety techniques are always advancing and we all need the riding tune-up as well. I hope to become an Instructor: that way I'll be CONSTANTLY improving my riding skills and won't have to worry about signing-up for more courses, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 590 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joey: As Fast Freddie is sponsored by Honda, I doubt they'll let me take my Harley bagger on the LVIR road course, LOL! It's a shame because my footboards and kickstand are quite nicely beveled now from dragging them through the turns, LOL! Seriously, I learned to ride on rice rockets, and I love MC road racing as a spectator (My honeymoon was at the US Motorcycle Grand Prix @ Laguna Seca, LOL!), so a road-race "style" school has always been on my "to do" list. Back in the day, only Keith Code offered a track school (California Superbike School), and it was too expensive for a college student to afford. Now that I can afford it, I wanna do it. I actually wanna do a bunch of them: Kevin Schwantz's KSSS, Keith Code's, Jason Pridmore's STARS, etc. I figure they can help with high-speed riding skills that the MSF courses (being parking-lot based) cannot. I am just a little apprehensive about folding my 6', 215-220lb. frame on a 400# plastic missile with rearsets and clip-ons after being used to a 1000# two-wheeled barcalounger, LOL! And on a racetrack! At high speeds! Dragging my knees! With other "newbies" around me! With Freddie and Co. WATCHING and FILMING me!Oh yeah, and also, I gotta squeeze my lard into a one piece roadracing leather with body armor, LOL! That should be some sight! I doubt they have all-black leathers, LOL! Oh, and I left one out: Danny Walker's American Supercamps. Danny is an ex-AMA pro Dirt Tracker (sliding sideways @ 140mph on a mile horsetrack on a Harley with a steel shoe on your left foot!!!) and pro Road Racer. He usually follows the AMA Grand National Dirt Track circus and offers courses for no money (I think $400) with himself and pro racers as instructors. They put you on a Honda XR100 dirt bike and set up a circle track. They teach you how to slide sideways, rear wheel spinning, on these pee-wee bikes (head and elbows UP! LOL!). You get the sensation of an XR750 Harley Racer at speed, but you're only doing 25-30mph while you're "out of control". This way, when you hit the ground (and you WILL hit the ground), you don't get too badly hurt, LOL! This teaches you ULTIMATE bike control, which is applicable to ALL forms of riding! | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 321 Registered: 9-2002 |
Whenever y'all make it down South, skip Graceland and get thee to the Barber Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. www.barbermuseum.org You can Thank Me Later. J o e y | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 597 Registered: 9-2003 |
Sorry, duplicate post. (Message edited by kmh364 on October 16, 2004) | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 598 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joey: Thanks for the link. I haven't yet made it down to Barber Motorsports Park yet for either the AMA Superbike National or the Museum. I had seen pix before and follow the racing on SPEED and in Cycle News. I read years ago about him and his "secret' warehouse(s) in downtown Birmingham that housed his private collection that was not open to the public in the AMA's American Motorcyclist (I'm an AMA Life Member). His friends and other lucky parties that saw the collection suggested it would make a great museum, so I guess he took that to heart! Iwas kinda hoping Barber would get the USGP (MotoGP) when it (finally!) comes back to the States, but Laguna Seca got it once again (BTW, a great place in a great area - Monterey Cali...only a few hours south of Alembic, LOL!). How far is Barber from the Redneck Riveria...y'all know, the Fla. panhandle? LOL! My friend from Panama City would slap me if she saw that, LOL! BTW, I am DEFINITELY flying out to Cali (SFI) for the US round of the MotoGP World Championship in '05...watch out Mica and Co....I'm coming north on a fly-and-ride Harley from Frisco's own Dud Perkins Co. to spread my agita, er, um, Joisey Charm (yeah, that's it, LOL) around. I just couldn't fly out to Cali (again) and miss the wonderful world of Alembic. They'll probably lock the doors and hide when they hear the bike motor down Wiljan Court, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 599 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joey: BTW, if Peter Egan played guitar or bass, I don't know if he could make up his mind long enough to be into Alembics, LOL! J/K He's all over the board, bikes and cars, LOL! Quick Peter Egan story: one of my friends (Kevin "Smokey" Barley) that works at the York PA Final Assy. Plant for Harley-Davidson (met him and his wife at a NH B&B during Laconia Bike Week a decade ago) is a real pisser (Peter called him a "Live Wire")and he decided to invite Peter Egan down to the factory to see the place and meet the people that ride what they build (they make the "Eagle Fly"!). Well he took them up on the invitation and ended-up writing a Big Twin Magazine feature article about the experience. Smokey, his best bud (Alois "Skip" Poncavage, also a friend of your truly) along with four or five other H-D York ERA (Employee Rider Association) Members that made an impression on Peter each got a one page photo write-up in the Magazine, and Harley got a lot of good PR gratis. I still have that article ('95 vintage) and I had a copy mounted on my wall until recently when I moved my office location. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 600 Registered: 9-2003 |
Another good "Smokey" story for you H-D freaks: After that year at Laconia, Smokey fell in love with the H-D AMA Superbike Team (the expensive aborted ten-year VR-1000 Superbike project that failed to produce one win despite millions spent on R&D and hot-shot riders and ten or more years invested). In 2000, since the H-D Superbike team wasn't doing so well despite the riding talents of "Mr. Daytona" Scott Russell and Pascal Picotte, Smokey decide he wanted to so something to cheer-up the team and show them that at least some H-D employees were behind their efforts (H-D Corprate subcontracted the team out-of-house and wasn't committed to back the team whole-heartedly). With the permission of H-D Corporate, Smokey used Motor Company funds to purchase Harley shirts for each and every member of the team (about 25) in the York Employee Store and he volunteered his own time to put them in the employee cafeteria so that as many York H-D factory employess would sign their well-wishes to the team. Then Smokey organized H-D ERA and other H-D factory employees into a bike ride from York PA out to Lexington , Ohio to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course round of the 2000 AMA Superbike Championship in order to make a presentation to the team and give them their shirts. The ride was voluntary and was to be done on personal, not company time. Unfortunately, while Smoke got a lot of signatures, only a dozen or so other employees (and their significant others) actually rode-out the 500-600mi in one day to be there for the presentation. I was the only NON-HARLEY EMPLOYEE (or spouse) on the ride, and I signed the shirts as well. Well, despite Smokey getting clearance from H-D brass and speaking through Art Gomppers who was resident at York but was responsible for the team, there was a monkey in the wrench. A new young fresh-out-of-MBA school-type H-D PR man by the name of Paul James was just assigned to the team because of a prior commitment of Art Gomperrs. Needless to say, when the rag-tag road-worn crew from H-D arrived, including myself, we were royally snubbed and rebuffed by Mr. James. He apologized, but said that despite prior H-D clearance and arrangements, the team was simply too busy for our "official" presentation, and that we should enjoy the races but don't let the door hit us in the *ss, yadda, yadda, LOL! Well, Smoke was incensed, but James persisted and gave him a "Awwww, don't be that way" in response to Smoke's obvious disappointment and frustration. As James walked away, Smokey turned and said "is that Billy Davidson over there (Son of H-D VP of "Style", legendary Willie G. Davidson)? Smoke knew that I knew all the team guys by sight (all the AMA paddock for that matter, LOL!) and I said "Yup!". Well, he walked right over to Billy and explained what had happened. Bill was very apologetic and he said forget about what James had said, we would have our presentation the next day at this time. Turns out, Bill was a big-shot himself, and he was newly-appointed Director of the Race Team! He invited us over for beers and to hang out in the pits and to shoot the sh*t. The next day, at the appointed time, he cordoned off an area in the pits between the H-D team transporter (as good as anything in NASCAR or F1!) and their luxury motorcoaches. He had two factory racebikes for us to sit on and play with and pose for pix. The whole team was there, including the riders. Billy put out a spread for us (they had their own personal gormet chef at all times) and we met evey one and shook kands and took pix. Now it was Billy's turn: he and the team presented the York guys a HUGE H-D banner signed by the entire team as thanks to the York Employees for their support and effort. I think that banner is framed and still hangs at York in the employee cafe. I was so impressed by Bill's friendliness and compassion that I wrote him a personal email thanks on H-D's private internal corporate email network (it pays to have H-D friends and to date the VP of the York Plant's secretary, LOL!). I told him that despite the fact that I was the only non-H-D employee, that he made me feel right at home with everyone. Bill wrote me back at length thanking me for my efforts. He is a genuinely nice guy and really knows (like his Dad) that business is done one handshake at a time. The real shame about this was that H-D PR and/or Corporate Communications people did not sieze upon this golden PR opportunity. There was no write up in any H-D publication (public or otherwise) and the public press did not get a hold of this story either. I should have wriiten to Cycle News or Peter Egan or even the H-D Enthusiast or HOG Tales, but I didn't (shame on me). Oh well, you win some.... Sorry for the long-winded tome, but I at least thought it was cool. With colorful friends like Smokey, I've got a bunch of tales to tell, LOL! | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 322 Registered: 9-2002 |
kmh: Panama City to Birmingham is about 4 or 5 hours, either back north on I65 or you could go due north from PC up through Talladega on the way to Gadsden, AL to catch I20 back west to Birmingham. That would give you the chance to see the Talladega NASCAR track (2.6 miles with 30+ degree banks 7 stories tall!) and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, which reminds me a LOT of the museum at Indy. This would be on your way to Birmingham. Roughly 200 to 250 miles depending which route. Any VMax miles or stories? Your story confirms what I've often thought: The way Harley survives against the Hondas, Yamahas, etc., is they realize it's a PEOPLE business, ultimately. I always think a family running a business is better than a bunch of Wall Street/spreadsheet guys. Passion can't be expensed, amortized, or depreciated. J o e y | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 603 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joey: Thanks. It sounds like a nice easy ride. I'm actually dying to ride into the "Big Easy for some crawfish etouffe' and jambalaya. One day I'll do Fat Tuesday on a H-D. Talladega, the Redneck Pantheon, LOL! J/K. H-D actually has a facility there. They employ a bunch of full time test riders that have to whip the cr*p out of each new model and that includes a lot of RACETRACK miles at high speed. What better place than the huge high-banked expanse of Talladega to really shake-down the high speed behaviour of any vehicle? H-D actually has guys that take shifts around the clock beating the living hell out of these bikes in all weather on all kinds of real roads! Yes, as a matter of fact, I have VMax miles & stories. My first streetbike was a Yamaha (still have it), a '86 Radian (YXS-600S)...basically a 600cc parallel four...half a Vmax if you will, LOL! My buddy "Jay" or "Jake" (actuallly John) had the first-gen Max ('85) and he rode my new bike home from the Yammie dealer as I was sh*t scared it being my first new bike, LOL! Once I got street legs under me, I took a whack at his bike. Holy sh*t, did I think that thing was heavy...I could barely lift it off the sidestand! 600#DRY compared to my 400#WET bike! Little did I know someday I'd ride a 1000# Monster, LOL! That Max was brutal-fast....one of the fastest of the day and a drag-strip staple in the '80's. I was white when I came off that thing! I mean, my bike was fast (12-flat right off the showroom floor!)...slow by today's standard, but a wheelie-monster a la Kawi Mach Three....but that thing was a frickin' starship! Bending it into a turn with the mis-matched skinny (18" or 19"?) front wheel and the fat 15" rear (by the day's standard) coupled with "high" weight/high CG and shaft-drive made that thing a handful in the turns! I did see Jake bend that thing deep in to a turn and fire it out like a cat shot in the *ss many times though, LOL! He was hard to keep up with on that thing, until you tried to top end, that is. Over the TON, that thing felt like the front wheel was off the ground, LOL! My brother rode it with his future wife on the back and with her clear shot at the wind blast directly in the face with an open-face helmet she could not breathe at speed! He had to slow down, she was turning blue! I could go on. Even the Harley guys liked that bike: it was FAT and had that HUGE motor that looked like a cartoon bike...a motor with two wheels attached, LOL! It was AWESOME. Jake still has that bike! Unfortunately, he's an American ex-patriot living in Ontario, Canada with his Canadian-born wife andd her kids, so I don't see him much these days. Yeah, Harley gets it. At least the old-guard who lived through the AMF takeover/employee buy-back years and the near collapse of the company only to see it prosper (thank you Ronald Reagan!) GET IT. The newbie "Wall St Investor-type Dealers and Harvard MBA-types infiltrating the Motor Company DON't get it. I believe in Honda/Kawi/Yam/Suz's situation, it's NIKKEI guys, NOT Wall Street-types, LOL! J/K. Believe it or not, I love all bikes. I have a special spot in my heart for certain milestone sport bikes, especially those that made winning racebikes in the hands of my heroes: Roberts, Lawson, Rainey, Schwantz, Spencer, Russell, Edwards, etc. Also, I've WANTED a Ducati BAD since the 888 came out. By the time I could afford it, I was too damn old with too many aches (and a few too many pounds, LOL!) to be comfy on one. A bike I can only ride for a half-hour on Sunday and then suffer because of it the rest of the week is not my idea of fun, LOL! Even if it goes like stink, turns on rails, and stops on a dime (Polen/Corser/Foggy/Bayliss anyone? LOL!). Don't even get me started on BiMoTa or MV's, LOL! If I do take a track school (a la Spencer), I'll be in A LOT of trouble. If I'm not cured altogether (I hope I keep my skin/bones intact, LOL!), I bet I'll be looking for a sport bike (DUCK anyone?) shortly thereafter to give my Road King some company, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 623 Registered: 9-2003 |
For anybody that cares: Mazda/Laguna Seca Raceway is offering the premium tix for the 2005 US round of the MotoGP World Championship to be held July 8-10 for sale starting Monday, Oct. 25 @ 0800hrs PST. While they (DORNA..the owners of the FIM-sanctioned series) have decided to omit the 250 and 125 GP classes, they will be offering an AMA Superbike Championship Double -Header as support classes for the race weekend. IMHO, the premo tix are THE only way to go to the races. I've done it many times over the years at Laguna in Monterey and I did it last fall at the Austrailian round of the 2003MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island. You get a private hospitality area with catered food, drink and restrooms...closed-circuit tv, and a private outdoor terrace...plus souvenir goodies...reserved parking...all your track admission INCLUDING paddock and pit lane (restricted times) access which are UNHEARD of at a Grand Prix event! The prices go from $290 to $500 depending on area, but are well worth it! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The best racing on the planet is on TWO wheels and it's at a MototGP event! See ya in Monterey! I'll be riding my rental HOG up to SF for some clam chowder at Boudin's (FM Wharf) and then up to the wine country for a visit to Alembic. Be there or be square, LOL! | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 332 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, so what's it like to see the mighty RC211V up close and personal? Think the HRC guys have lost MUCH face letting Valentino slip away to Yamaha and Kick their butts? And Lord, puh-leeze let KR Jr. and John Hopkins get a winner under their saddles! I'm still hoping Dorna will award a race to the Barber track. J o e y | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 624 Registered: 9-2003 |
The RC211V is AWESOME! While Rossi and Yamaha have wrestled the World Championship away from Honda's stranglehold (it's been 12 years since Big Y had the Rider's Championship..Wayne Rainey's Hat Trick of '90, '91, & '92), the Honda is still the bike to beat. Having said that, it may be the best package, but it is COMPLETELY non-adjustable, much to the consternation of everybody on a Honda (EXCEPTING Rossi, of course). Couple that with Honda's completely Japanese attitude that Engineering is EVERYTHING and the rider is NOTHING makes for another Manufacturer's Title, but six riders of varying unhapiness (including first Championship loser Sete Gibernau). Next year, Yamaha is teaming Rossi with Colin Edwards II...the Texas Tornado...in an attempt to steal the Manufacturer's cup away from Honda. To say Honda's loss of Rossi was the bungle of the Milennium would be a gross undersatement. The Honda is universally acknowledged as the best in the paddock with the Yamaha nearly at the polar opposite. Yet in less than one year's time, we saw the Yamaha clean-up where heretofore it couldn't BUY a win and the Honda Works Factory Squad go WINLESS (first time in memory this has happened). This is certainly no coincidence. Rossi is arguably the best rider to ever swing a leg over a bike in anger. Rossi could win on a friggin' moped. He has the magical touch, much like Roberts, Lawson, Rainey, Schwantz, Doohan, et al to ride around the problems of a less than perfect bike. NO ONE currently riding (in any championship) besides Rossi has that capability, IMHO. I just spoke to OZ this AM and my buddy asked if I saw the Oz MotoGP round last week. He was in awe of the way that Rossi punctuated his almost certain championship by risking a crash (and extension of the championship battle to the final round in Valencia) by flat-out spanking Gibernau on the last lap after the Spaniard led the whole race prior! Anyone who saw Rossi get penalized 10 seconds during last year's OZ GP for a passing under the yellow flag infraction only to see him GAP the whole field by more than 20secs. (!!!) then SLOW DOWN and showboat for the fans and STILL win by 15secs. (!!!) witnessed a dominating and totaly demoralizing (to the rest of the field) performance. Thanks to a friend of a race official (RAAC), we got into the paddock and up to the race command tower. We hung at the exit of the hot pits and got lots of close-up pix of everyone, especially Rossi (he stands up on the pegs and fixes his 'junk' everytime he exits the pits, LOL!). You have NO concept of the speed these things generate on TV. To see them in person is to be in awe (Loris Capirossi's Ducati hit over 330kph on Phillip Island's front straight this year...a new track record). I've seen the 268#, 200hp 500cc 2-stroke GP bikes haul ass, but the 250-plus hp 990cc 4-strokes are the friggin' Starship Enterprise! I've been at F1 races (Albert Park, Melbourne Aus. in 2003) and they are quick (and they do corner faster) but they don't accelerate like the bikes! While I wish Nicky Hayden no ill will, Honda's favoring of him, an unproven quantity (except for a lone AMA SBK title), over two-time World SBK Champions Colin burns my ass. I'd rather see former World Champ KRJR or even wildman "Hopper" on a factory Honda than Nicky (Sorry Kentucky Earl). I'd like to see all the Americans on the best bikes possible to see what they can actually do. As far as Barber goes, think WSBK! Octagon and the FIM are dying to get a World Super's race back in the States and Barber could be it. Unfortunately, there is NO FIM-homologated track currently in the US (Laguna, thanks to Yamaha US, will be by next year's MGP). Let's hope we can get one of them to spend the money to do so as Laguna's allotment of events does not allow for more than FOUR per year (and the schedule is full) due to the fact that it is strictly governed by SCRAMP due to it's "public land" status. |
