I'm soooo evil........ :-)

[Kcwiro]

Its a bandit 1200S

Earl

wow ... that is nice... if i were in market I'd look at a Vstrom-650 ... liter bikes I think are a bit much for me right now... hauling luggage is a thing on my mind though the SV650's do look cool but options for a hauling are limited..besides I have my GS for cruising =) still that is a nice bike

 

[Craiger]

Then you made the right decision, Earl. I wasn't refuting that....and apologize if it seemed I did. Lessen the risk, then make the choice.

 

[earlfor]

It depends on how you ride it. Once acclimated to it, its a big teddy bear, and I spend enough time on it, that the old girl follows my sub conscious thoughts. Its basically an upgraded 1150E, same engine with some modern improvements i.e. different cams, 50 amp demand automotive type alternator, hydraulic clutch, electric instruments and WONDERFUL six piston, dual front brakes that give new meaning to the word STOP. heheh Add some big, sticky radial tires and upgraded suspension and you will find cranking hard through a curve, you need to keep your fingers wrapped closely around the handlebar grips. That is because with the lean angles it is capable of, if you open your hand, you'll be scuffing your fingers on the pavement. LOL Its a wonderful bike for a little, old, grey haired codger that no longer wants to be aggressive and is my alternative to the park bench and watching the pigeons poop.

Earl

wow ... that is nice... if i were in market I'd look at a Vstrom-650 ... liter bikes I think are a bit much for me right now... hauling luggage is a thing on my mind though the SV650's do look cool but options for a hauling are limited..besides I have my GS for cruising =) still that is a nice bike

 

[earlfor]

Everyone rides a bit differently and what works for me may not work for someone else. I never take offense with anyone that would choose to handle a situation differently. As a rule, I try to make a choice that has the least risk and leaves me in control of the situation.

Earl

Then you made the right decision, Earl. I wasn't refuting that....and apologize if it seemed I did. Lessen the risk, then make the choice.

 

[Kcwiro]

I might object on the control thing...more or less we don't have full control of everything in our lives certainly riding a bike has made that much clearer to me. Since i don't have the power to keep those folks that don't see me away from causing me harm.

In most cases everyone is just along for the ride but the illusion of control even in bad situations really is just what it is...words on paper/or an idea in the head that does in fact offer comfort but like the wind blowing it goes where it pleases...

little digression there but I am one to correct some when it is implied we are in control when actually we are not .... but it is comforting for some parts heh...

Just my .02 on the control subject ..... sheesh I think I might be too young to be having thoughts like that... *spooky*

 

[mriddle]

Hilarious story ..

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

Well done! I LOVE a happy ending! :-D\\/

 

[earlfor]

I agree with you that absolute control of the situation is highly unlikely, however, for the majority of circumstances, attainable control is probably greater than 99.9%. When one first learns to ride, it takes about 50% of concentration to operate the bike and the other 50% is spent monitoring perhaps two cars ahead in your lane and keeping a safe distance. As skill level increases, less effort is used to operate the bike. Eventually, zero effort/thought is needed to operate the bike because coordination and mechanical response is reflexive. At that point in the skill curve, situational awareness begins to develop. Some people stop increasing that capability when they can monitor a couple of lanes of traffic on either side and half a dozen car lengths ahead. Beyond that capability one should learn to monitor all pathways that could possibly conflict with an intended path and to increase the range of the monitored area. This includes vehicles, kids, animals, etc. Add in the perceived mental state of those in your sphere and their observed movements. Study traffic flow and develop predictions for the closest 50 cars or items of possible confrontation. Eventually, you will arrive at a comprehensive set of probabilities and predictions with preplanned escape routes and choices for decreasing risk factors. When you are doing it right, no one can do anything that comes as a surprise to you. If you have developed long range situational awareness, it will not stop anyone from doing something stupid, but it will stop them from increasing your risk level. I consider that being in control. But thats just me. If someone prefers to believe in fate, I dont have a problem with that. LOL

Earl

I might object on the control thing...more or less we don't have full control of everything in our lives certainly riding a bike has made that much clearer to me. Since i don't have the power to keep those folks that don't see me away from causing me harm.

 

[Zooks]

I tend to agree with you Earl.

 

[Kcwiro]

...

Well put it that way Earl... dam my head hurts... lol that was well put... I consider myself served =)

I only been riding going on 3rd season.. would like to think my reflex's are good but I know I have much room for improvement... fortunately that skill only increases as you ride longer... me being the noobie that I am just prety much at the point of ignoring my gauges minus the oil press light and focusing entirely on whats around me though quick reactions and manuvering the bike has been slower to develope.. I still get edgy in the rain on a overpass hitting those expansion joints... I know cars behind me hate it but after I'm done turning I speed right backup. Unfortunately I don't think they understand my choice of speed since likely they have never riden a motorcycle before.

...I just need more practice and I'm sure I will get more instinct as I go..ofcourse ensuring Darwin is having a off day... =)

 

[KRISTI'SGS550]

earlfor,
this is a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cory

 

[omaharj]

Great story! I especially love the part where you get home safe. I saw a similar situation on I-80 in Omaha. Far left passing lane (5 lanes each direction) a bike going about 80 MPH with a car less than a car length behind. I was in a commercial truck and was unable to even get a license number. Nowhere to go. I found it upsetting. I only hope if I'm ever in a similar situation I can find an out.:shock:

 

[earlfor]

How to survive on a motorcycle is a subject I have thought about a lot. In a nutshell, being able to predict will save you most often because you will not be where something bad will happen or at least you will not be surprised when it does and you will have an out. Paying attention to a wide scope of events and acting to subject yourself to the lowest risk is everything.

Earl

...

Well put it that way Earl... dam my head hurts... lol that was well put... I consider myself served =)

I only been riding going on 3rd season.. would like to think my reflex's are good but I know I have much room for improvement... fortunately that skill only increases as you ride longer... me being the noobie that I am just prety much at the point of ignoring my gauges minus the oil press light and focusing entirely on whats around me though quick reactions and manuvering the bike has been slower to develope.. I still get edgy in the rain on a overpass hitting those expansion joints... I know cars behind me hate it but after I'm done turning I speed right backup. Unfortunately I don't think they understand my choice of speed since likely they have never riden a motorcycle before.

...I just need more practice and I'm sure I will get more instinct as I go..ofcourse ensuring Darwin is having a off day... =)

 

[earlfor]

The sad part is that after so many years of being around my wife, I have come to understand how important having an appropriate card for every occasion is and I am sorry I didnt have a nice Hallmark momento to present to the guy when he received his "gift" from officer happy face. LOL

Awwww, just one of many stories from the life and times of the prune juice and Geritol grey panther. LOL

Earl

earlfor,
this is a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cory

 

[cbrophy22]

Great story, and asfar as reflexes you gain them over time. I been riding for years, dirt and street. Studying traffic is very important, I find myself looking for small details, like someone looking over there shoulder five times. and how old a kid is, in that import car. even baby on-board stickers. just the little things can give you the half a second more to react. God just thinking about it, I cant even count how many times some dumb driver has allmost killed me... seconds count!

 

[gustovh]

Earl I aplaud your way with words. Maybe that is why I find more and more OLD riders riding modern sport bikes. Mine just happens to be this one.

There is no substitute for experiance.
V

 

[earlfor]

I find I'm somewhere in the middle on the sport bike scene. I enjoyed my CBR929 and it had more power, less weight and better handling than the Bandit, but the Bandit far surpassed it in comfort even though I made comfort modifications to the CBR. The "deal breaker" that made me sell the CBR though was the engine characteristics due to it being fuel injected. I found I do not at all like those characteristics, so its the new/old school Bandit that I'm keeping. I like Triumph, but in my area, dealer support is pretty close to zero and it would be a 130 mile trip to get anything for the bike.

Earl

Earl I aplaud your way with words. Maybe that is why I find more and more OLD riders riding modern sport bikes.