Anything to do with motorcycles, scooter, etc...

[pfrsantos]

Just rented this one, an Indian Challenger, for a couple of days. Let's see how it handles. Reminds a lot of Harley Davidsons.

 

[cody6268]

Here's a couple of model bikes I had handy.



Harley from Buddy L, 1994--probably 1:6 scale. I believe it to be a Fat Boy. It's a light-and-sound toy-grade model, but it is high-detail and well-done.  It had been in the collection of a relative's son who passed away a few years later in his early '20s.  I got it maybe 10 years ago. Still works! I had to remove the old batteries and clean the contacts, which usually anything this old with batteries left in it will be a dud.



Maisto 1999 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. 1:18, I think. My folks put this one up when I was a kid, as I'd destroyed a similar one. It was forgotten about until I was about 19. I used to hate bases, but they keep these things from toppling over.





Hallmark WWII Harley Davidson WLA military dispatch bike. Originally an ornament in 2014 from the now-retired military series, I removed the ornament hanger eye from the seat. Extreme detailing, including the Thompson in the scabbard on the fork. About the same size as the Maisto, maybe a bit smaller. A lot of it is diecast. Guessing that's why Hallmark discontinued the line, as they cost a lot more to make--since most Hallmark ornaments are now plastic. I have a GPA as well, and that "Seep" has an entirely diecast hull.

[Dutch_Tooler]

Nice models cody! I built a WLA plastic model, I think in 1:18 scale, as a kid so that one in particular resonates with me. My dad used to have an ex-Rotterdam-PD WLC which I have ridden a few times, unfortunately he had to sell it prior to my parents' last move.

Attached today's ride.

[Dutch_Tooler]

It was a nice round trip, but good thing I rented a heavier bike. At times the wind was strong enough to cause a noticeable list to port

Attached bike in Arcadia, FL

[Altis]

New bike is in 



Only been on one ride since it went back to being freezing and even snowed yesterday. Bit too early to tell what I think but it's quite different than the CBR500R, despite being the same powertrain and most parts. Much taller with higher weight distribution. I think I already know my answer of whether or not one bike can satisfy a street and off-road bike and it's unlikely... so I guess I'll need two bikes. 

[Dutch_Tooler]

 

... I think I already know my answer of whether or not one bike can satisfy a street and off-road bike and it's unlikely... so I guess I'll need two bikes. 

This is the way *).





*) the way  that is

[pietervn]

New bike is in 
Only been on one ride since it went back to being freezing and even snowed yesterday. Bit too early to tell what I think but it's quite different than the CBR500R, despite being the same powertrain and most parts. Much taller with higher weight distribution. I think I already know my answer of whether or not one bike can satisfy a street and off-road bike and it's unlikely... so I guess I'll need two bikes. 

Congrats, and red is by far the quickest colour!!!

n+1 is the correct number of bikes to own, n being the number you have right now!!!

I think it is a good bike for both scenarios, but that all depends on how you set it up. In my experience, dirt tires are better on bitumen than road tires on dirt, and the bike looks way cooler with a set of knobbies on!!!

Cheers, Pete

[Altis]

Congrats, and red is by far the quickest colour!!!

n+1 is the correct number of bikes to own, n being the number you have right now!!!

I think it is a good bike for both scenarios, but that all depends on how you set it up. In my experience, dirt tires are better on bitumen than road tires on dirt, and the bike looks way cooler with a set of knobbies on!!!

Cheers, Pete

Red's my favourite and is also very visible to other vehicles, especially on a green backdrop 

I think I'll end up getting another road bike (maybe even a 500R again) then modify this one to be more off-road oriented. I found the 500R to be a lot more fun on the road, despite having the same powertrain. It felt faster, smoother, more compliant over bumps, and the riding position was just much more engaging. I'm struggling to get used to the mirrors being on the wide bars, and the wind buffeting from the stock windscreen is so bad I had to take it off entirely. Might see if I can just get a short one that keeps my helmet in clean air or a deflector for the top. 

I'm looking forward to trying it off-road though where I think it will really come alive. Being able to stand while riding, having the extra ground clearance, and dual purpose tires should make it a lot nicer. Having said that, I did take my 500R further off-road than it was ever meant to and it really did great so long as it was smooth and dry, as you can see here 

[pietervn]

Revival, possibly 

I had a few bike rides over the last few weeks. My son now has his provisional licence and we ride at every opportunity we can. His little Honda CB500X is a good bike. Comfortable on the long road, and does dirt surprisingly well, in spite of having a 17" front wheel with mostly road tires.

I'll post some pics of the week ride we did in the beginning of June.

Cheers, Pete

[pietervn]

Some fun before work on Sunday. We have a few photographers sitting on popular roads taking pics that we can buy.

Pete

[pietervn]

G'Day,

Sydney weather is glorious for riding at the moment. Me and the young man had a spur of the moment ride yesterday morning. We went down to a small township at Wisemans Ferry for a quick second breakfast and a coffee. We had some homemade pancakes which was really good. On the way back we decided to do a little dirt detour. This "road" (goat track now) is marked 4x4 access only. We have been through it a fair few times earlier this year. Since then, we have had lots and lots of rain, with some flooding at Wisemans Ferry. The road is now pretty bad, and truly 4x4 access only. We did the uphill way which was the better choice. Plenty washouts and deep ruts to keep us focused. There were also some parts that were filled in with various size rocks. These were "alive" and threw the bikes off balance a few times. Both of us had close calls, but no drops. The sandy sections were short, but deep. I did not stop for all the action shots. My son said it was the most difficult ride he has had on the 500X.

A good short day.

Cheers, Pete

[SurgeUk]

I should have put this on here earlier, but I'm rubbish 

Here's my new commuter to and from Heathrow (about 10m each way) after my "assisted off" in January 

Still buying stuff to add to it. The screen arrived today (just waiting for the top box and rad' shield etc)

[pietervn]

... after my "assisted off" in January 

Bugger, sorry to hear Mate?

Was it a serious "Off", trust that you have recovered enough to ride again?

The new bike looks lovely!!!

Pete

[SurgeUk]

Bugger, sorry to hear Mate?

Was it a serious "Off", trust that you have recovered enough to ride again?

The new bike looks lovely!!!

Pete

Cheers Pete 

It wasn't a high speed one but I did slide down the road with the bike on my left leg, which left me with a hole where my knee should have been. The car had strayed on to my side of the road and I had to swerve or go through the windscreen, so there was no actual head on impact luckily. However, the driver didn't stop and there was no CCTV or witnesses    All I could say is it was a dark coloured car; that's it 

I'm pretty much recovered now although there's still a bit of pain, when bending my leg, as the injury is right on the kneecap 

Darren.

[Aloha]

Lovely bike.   The driver who hit me had to stop as I was IN the car  .  Many many moons ago. 

I do hope with physiotherapy you can decrease pain and increase movement. 

[Dutch_Tooler]

Sorry to hear that Surge, hope the recovery will be continuing. At least you're fit to ride again - nice bike!

@Aloha, I hope you made a lasting impression on that car (driver), if I may be so flippant (but then it's been a while). Hope you have recovered fully.

Speaking from experience here myself, back in '95 I had a forced off by the proverbial old lady from a side road whose eye caught me but, alas, not the brain (if we assume one to be available). Spent six weeks in our cosy neighbourhood hospital. The knee still doesn't bend all the way, and never will, by now.

@Pete - nice ride, wish the weather became more amenable to riding on this part of the planet. Truth to tell however, I did manage a brief ride on New Year's Day due to a unusually warm spell (since dissipated and replaced by cold, snow, damp, storm, what have you...)

[Aloha]

I think I made quite the impact ( pun intended ) on her.  The amount of blood ( sorry ) dripping from me should have made quite the statement as well.  I called her about 2 months later, I got her number from the police report.  I wanted to tell her I was recovering and I was going to be ok.  We were both in our 20s at the time so I wanted her to not worry if she was.  She did say she thought she killed me but I assured her I was hard to kill  .  The police told her I was pretty banged up but alive.   

It took about 6 month to recover but I still have some nerve damage ( some say brain ) in my head.  Got very lucky thats for sure.  Great equipment really took the brunt of it as it should.  Soft tissue issues and post concussion stuff.  I'm vertical so I'm happy.

Here in California as I'm sure in other parts of the world drivers are terribly distracted.  I'd be quite anxious with cell phones and all the other distractions I didn't deal with at the time.   

 

[SurgeUk]

New lid today (next to the old one) 

Pic' posted for the Rebar challenge (new lid, same colour etc..)

[pietervn]

New lid today (next to the old one) 

I have the same one, excellent helmets. Are you fitting a blue-tooth headset to it?

Pete

[SurgeUk]

I have the same one, excellent helmets. Are you fitting a blue-tooth headset to it?

Pete

Hi Pete,

They are great helmets. I was hoping the 3 would be out shortly but was told by a number of suppliers not to expect any developments on that front until at least the end of the year (and possibly the middle of 2024)

I awlso got a good deal as it was price matched from £579.99 down to £469.49 and I had £200 worth of vouchers so total spend £269.49 

As it's only me riding and it's such a short journey (about 15 mins each way) I won't be fitting the headset.

Safe riding mate 

[pietervn]

I awlso got a good deal as it was price matched from £579.99 down to £469.49 and I had £200 worth of vouchers so total spend £269.49 

Safe riding mate 

That is a cracking deal. The II is much better then the I. 

Cheers, Pete

[pfrsantos]

That is a cracking deal. The II is much better then the I. 

Cheers, Pete

Yup, at least twice as good!

 


 

[Aloha]

Good looking lid.  I always wore Shoei as well. 

[SurgeUk]

Cheers Pete & Aloha 

PF   

[pfrsantos]

Cheers Pete & Aloha 

PF   

[pietervn]

The Big and the small...

[pietervn]

G'Day,

Me and the boy-child went for some pancakes in the wine lands on Sunday. The café is on a wine farm a few kms out of Mudgee, a cool 250kms from home. They make some of the best buttermilk pancakes that I have tasted. Well worth the trip.

The roads were very good with quite a bit of road works going on, repairing the damage the last two years' of rain. The weather was a bit of everything. Climbing into the mountains we were greeted with soft drizzle and very thick fog. The temperature dropped quite a bit, enough for us to add a layer over the t-shirts. Once across the mountains the fog and rain cleared, the roads were dry and traffic sparse. The run to the farm was very good. The return trip was more sedate with a lot of returning traffic. Some slow people that should not be driving. Passing on a bike is just so much easier!!!

A very good day with interesting weather and top food and coffee.

Cheers, Pete

[Aloha]

Father son time priceless. 

[pietervn]

Father son time priceless.

Absolutely. The more we ride the better mates we are becoming.

[SurgeUk]

Absolutely. The more we ride the better mates we are becoming.

That's what it's awl about, making memories. Excellent pics as well