tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post7444462453617271758..comments2024-03-22T05:20:44.167-07:00Comments on The Disaffected Lib: Born To Be MildThe Mound of Soundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-69067310732951496122013-09-12T10:35:31.722-07:002013-09-12T10:35:31.722-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-67697456666026368852008-04-11T05:14:00.000-07:002008-04-11T05:14:00.000-07:00Thanks for the info - never really considered the ...Thanks for the info - never really considered the weight transfer thing. Something to think about for sure.<BR/>The Commando had the isolastics mountings, which took a LOT of the vibration away. An Atlas I had for a while did not - shook like mad. Very tiring to ride after an hour or so. Hands were numb to the elbows!Canajunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529505799866207528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-11263535174280392952008-04-10T19:17:00.000-07:002008-04-10T19:17:00.000-07:00I think HD updated the Fat Boy this year. Pretty...I think HD updated the Fat Boy this year. Pretty good ride if you're into cruisers. My big gripe with them was the forward controls. You carry all your weight through your spine (butt)and you can't stand on the pegs when those moments arrive as they always do. But they're sure popular and infinitely better looking than my Beemer. If you're into HD, check out the Street Rod, Harley's improved-handling V-Rod (better forks, suspension, geometry).<BR/><BR/>BTW, did the Commando have the featherbed frame?The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-82033801307873199302008-04-10T17:59:00.000-07:002008-04-10T17:59:00.000-07:00Well after years of Japanese stuff - Honda 550's, ...Well after years of Japanese stuff - Honda 550's, Kawa Z-1's, Yamaha 350-LC's, etc. I spent several years riding a variety of Norton's, ending with a '74 Commando which I absolutely loved. But deep in my heart I've always wanted a Harley - Fat Boy to be specific. So I guess that would be my dream machine, although my BMW-riding pals all think I'm nuts!Canajunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529505799866207528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-5708250804865771962008-04-10T14:24:00.000-07:002008-04-10T14:24:00.000-07:00Great story C, thanks. Yeah, the refresher train...Great story C, thanks. Yeah, the refresher training is definitely helpful even, I suspect, for a former instructor.<BR/><BR/>BTW, what's your dream bike? I began with a Harley and had a lot of fun on it for a few years but that sort of machine just wasn't right for the sort of long-haul, Third World riding I had in mind. In 2006 I switched to the R1200GS shown above. Talk about a dream machine! When the road suddenly stops, you can just keep going. It's extra capabilities have gotten me out of a couple of jams that could've spelled trouble on a Harley or Gold Wing or even a sport bike.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-67988023946228312692008-04-10T14:08:00.000-07:002008-04-10T14:08:00.000-07:00Great post. Although I was always pretty active in...Great post. <BR/>Although I was always pretty active in the motorcycling scene (including running the advanced safety course in Ottawa for a few years), the 15 or so, non-street-riding years, have certainly left me with a skills deficit. Currently contempalting acquiring the-bike-I've-always-wanted, my first stop will be the Ottawa Safety Council for their refresher program.<BR/>But this reminds me of a conversation overheard in Ypres (Belgium) this past summer, among a group of British motorcyclists who were arguing whether an older and thus more experienced rider was "safer" than a younger rider with quicker reflexes. Although the conversation got rather heated,there was no clear winner. What was interesting though, is that this argument also involved the consumption of several pints, making moot the whole point. Then they got on their bikes and rode off.Canajunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529505799866207528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-19576866041252861382008-04-10T12:42:00.000-07:002008-04-10T12:42:00.000-07:00It's hard to know if they're skewed or particularl...It's hard to know if they're skewed or particularly American oriented. I agree that older riders tend to be more responsible in some respects but here's something else that's not mentioned - they're also the high-mileage riders.<BR/><BR/>Last year I rode from Vancouver Island to Cabo san Lucas at the bottom tip of the Baja and back. I met plenty of motorcyclists along the way, the overwhelming majority of them well over 40. Older riders tend to be more likely to have the time and money it takes for a 4-6 week trip. <BR/><BR/>I guess it stands to reason that the biker who logs 10,000 miles in a month travelling on unfamiliar roads in all weather conditions through foreign countries is bound to be at greater risk of an accident than the guy who rides 200-miles at home.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-22257034897113341512008-04-10T12:30:00.000-07:002008-04-10T12:30:00.000-07:00The stats may also be a bit skewed... They also i...The stats may also be a bit skewed... They also indicate that 1/2 of accidents are with riders less than 40yrs old. I think older riders are more responsible and aware, due to less reckless speeds...WesternGrithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658358114507615351noreply@blogger.com