Motorcycles: Are you a rider?

HAT · #1 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 11:12

Hello
I want to see if there are other motorcycle riders in this forum.
I own and ride a Shadow 1100ACE (chopper Harley-look-alike).
She may be old but she is a Honda, so she runs and runs and runs with little maintenance.

Lets see if anyone here responds.

swissflygirl · #2 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 13:31

Yes, I used to be.

Started on Kawasakis but then migrated to the real deal..... Harley Davidsons.

Not riding anymore though.

HAT · #3 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by swissflygirl

Yes, I used to be.

Started on Kawasakis but then migrated to the real deal..... Harley Davidsons.

Not riding anymore though.

Why? Oh come on...

swissflygirl · #4 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 13:43

Too many near-misses and friends lost due to accidents.... I value life more than riding a bike these days.... or maybe I'm just getting old

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAT

Why? Oh come on...

HAT · #5 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by swissflygirl

Too many near-misses and friends lost due to accidents.... I value life more than riding a bike these days.... or maybe I'm just getting old

Compared to Thailand, Malaysia, riding conditions in CH are paradise and mild.
Bikers heaven if you ask me.
Drivers are also polite to bikers.
If you ride responsibly I guess this risk is similar to riding a bicycle.

Geoff · #6 (**permalink**) 16-05-2009, 06:10

Yes ,although I have not brought a bike here yet. I am lookong at the moment , but maybe for a classic to rebuild first.
Last bike brought new was a Yamaha XJ 750 (I know , I know , over 20 years ago....should have kept it , it,d be a classic now and a 1 owner). Last bike riden was an R1200S (BMW) ...a seriously brilliant machine..

BigD · #7 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 12:48

Riding a bike in Thailand is grrreat. Total lunacy. Three generations of one family on the same bike. People riding so close together they could share a cigarette. People carrying ladders. Pot holes that could swallow a horse....

BigD

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAT

Compared to Thailand, Malaysia, riding conditions in CH are paradise and mild.

Malty · #8 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 12:56

25 years riding bikes - currently ZRX1200S

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAT

Drivers are also polite to bikers.

I've found the opposite when comparing the UK to Switzerland - here, I have to practice my defensive riding skills way more than in the UK. Favourites are roundabouts where car drivers insist on trying to kill me on a regular basis, and highways where 100kmph in the outside lane appears to be the norm.

Also, filtering brings two reactions - some drivers kindly pull over a few inches to let you through

while others actually close the gap

for reasons of what? Jealousy?

HAT · #9 (**permalink**) 21-05-2009, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malty

25 years riding bikes - currently ZRX1200S

I've found the opposite when comparing the UK to Switzerland - here, I have to practice my defensive riding skills way more than in the UK. Favourites are roundabouts where car drivers insist on trying to kill me on a regular basis, and highways where 100kmph in the outside lane appears to be the norm.

Also, filtering brings two reactions - some drivers kindly pull over a few inches to let you through

while others actually close the gap

for reasons of what? Jealousy?

Tongue in cheek: could it be your choice of bike?

Don't get me wrong, I love your bike too!

I don't think people are trying to kill you, they are trying to get a closer look at your steel and chrome. And they do not go to their opticians so oftern.

Highways here are usually 100 or 120kmh, in case you don't realise. For your rocketbike, this is cruising at 3rd gear?

Filtering reactions: yes some drivers here do have tons of jealousy. Cager-mentality, they cannot or will not get a bike, so they are jealous. Just pour loads of pity on them when you next spot one.

Anyway, ride safe!

HAT · #10 (**permalink**) 21-05-2009, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigD

Riding a bike in Thailand is grrreat. Total lunacy. Three generations of one family on the same bike. People riding so close together they could share a cigarette. People carrying ladders. Pot holes that could swallow a horse....

BigD

My fav bike tour was to Koh Samui on my BMW1100R.
When we reached there, we rented 80cc hondas.
We raced around the island and even went offroad.
That was the best memories I have had in Thailand.
I think it was 1998.