Your online biker bar!

Summer riding season coming to a close

I have to say I'm a bit saddened at how quickly it's gotten cold in North Carolina lately. I have to transfer to Rhode Island before very much longer, and have had to throw some extra clothes on now pretty far south of my next duty station. I've been everywhere this summer from the Outer Banks to the Badlands with some nice trips in the middle like the New River Gorge Bridge. I rode the Dragon and got bit, via the Cherokee Nation, in May, went out to Rider's Roost with a buddy in September, and made the Highland Games this last weekend in Laurinburg, NC. Every mile ridden so far this year was well worth it even when the weather was poor. I've encouraged my friends to ride as often as they can, to work on their cornering technique, as well as all weather conditions. I ride in the rain, because I know at some point I'll get stuck inthe rain and have nothing else to do but finish the ride.
Earlier today it was raining on me, and my boss was surprised to see me roll in just like normal. He left his V-Rod Muscle parked at the house today, and so did my buddy with his 1200 Sportster The honda and I just keep on going. I had to do some wrench work tonight since some moisture got intothe tail lights,.and I have to be someplace tomorrow at 5:30 AM. I wanted to make sure I had every light running right ready to go since the drivers out my way are extremely retarded. I know it won't make any difference and the words "I never saw him." will be the first thing out of their mouth.
I've been told I am a strange breed of rider, that enjoys wrenching almost as much as riding. I do it for practical reasons though. What good will a warranty do you at 11:00 PM on a weekend when something goes wrong? I intend to keep on riding for as long as I can once I've transferred to Rhode Island, but I hear the weather up there is not to good for bikes. We'll have to wait and see.

Comment

You need to be a member of MotorcycleMyPlace to add comments!

Join MotorcycleMyPlace

Comment by Aaron Baltosser on October 6, 2009 at 3:31pm: I read in one magazine where a guy broke a shifter cable, and had to call ahead to a HD Dealer that was closing up for the night. That guy and the one that owned the shop came back like two hours after it was closed, found the right cable, and installed it at the normal charge so he could keep on going. That kind of customer service is really the stuff legends are made of.
I guess the reason real reason behind my enjoyment of wrenching is the fact that I am visually based as a person. I need to be able to see something as it changes so I can measure progress. Something mechanical lets me do that so it's easy to mark how well the job is coming along, and I easily get a sense of accomplishment. As for carrying too much tool with me riding, I actually carry everything I have ever used to fix something in my saddlebags. I had a recruiter tell me once better to have and not need than the other way around. I hope to not ride in terrible weather, and maybe it will just be a bitter cold one this year with snow that doesn't stay around very long. One can hope anyway.

Comment by Larry Walther on October 6, 2009 at 12:35pm: I like your attitude, Aaron. I don't do the majority of my own wrenching, partly because I don't have your acceptance of it as a fun thing to do, and partly because with some issues I haven't a clue how to do it right ~ I wish I did, and am in continual "learning mode" ~ but for the most obvious external problems, I have no problem turning my own wrench when I am forced to do so, and I carry what others might consider too much "tool weight" for that on-the-road breakdown.

I do get a kick out of those riders who rave about the many dealers (of their make) who are absolutely great about getting them back "up and running" when they break down on the road. The reason I grin about it is because it presupposes that dealers of all other makes just hang up the phone and don't give a crap when someone calls them with an emergency. That just "ain't the case". Any reputable dealer will try to help with an on-road problem (even if their shop is not "officially" open), and I mean any ... whether he is a Harley Davidson franchise, or any of the many great metric dealers. The best two in my area are a HD dealer who will get your Honda or Yamaha running again, and a Suzuki dealer who keeps several HD certified mechanics on his shop staff ... either of these competing shops are real motorcycle dealers! Wonder how the hell I got on that soap box?? Sorry!

Anyway, I live in the plains of Iowa, and I doubt that Rhode Island weather is too much rougher in the winter than our own. While I don't tempt fate by riding on ice, I have been known to put on my foul-weather gear and ride during some windy, bitter Midwest winter days that will keep most folks inside at the fireplace.

Ride often, ride safely!