Am I a rider or a pretender?

I bought my VFR used with some slow-speed road rash pre-applied! That way I didn't have to worry none about it - and I got a good deal on a mechanically flawless used bike!

 

Good point. It is easy. I may have exaggerated how dirty my bike really is. It ain't that bad and (getting defensive here) I'm meticulous about everything mechanical.

 

I like this idea. Best of both worlds (let 'er be/don't be a slob).

 

Or even with my wife...

 

She looks as gorgeous as ever from the saddle!

 

Good thoughts. Seems to be a theme: be happy with yourself and accept others as they are.

 

Yeah, that's a little OCD for me too. 10 years of riding and I've never been on a long tour. Kids. Money. Some day...

 

I like that video too.

 

I give up.

 

I've seen the results of hurricanes and tornadoes, you don't want to ride through one.

 

It didn't look so bad the next day. Can't see the damage at all from a distance (or when I'm riding). I know it's there, so I'll probably buy some colour match paint next spring and make it pretty again.

Thanks for the great replies. And the camaraderie.

http://vfrworld.com/photos/data/500/Diptic.jpeg

 

Looks like my RH saddlebag!!!!!

 

The short version of riding through a hurricane is to go through a carwash. Ask for the bike discount.

 

I like a clean bike. It does not get washed every day. I would ride to work, but right now I'm working late, not in the best part of town. Not the worst, but not the best. I don't like leaving it somewhere that I cannot keep an eye on it, as I have seen too many people trying to get on my bike, which is a no-no. I just noticed some cracked plastic, thanks to a bolt and a big bump. Oh well, I don't have the $100 or so to get it replaced. Maybe later.

Michael, you use your bike for your primary mode of transportation. I have a car that works for that. Unless I don't need to take anything with me. People in the states (Canada?) don't care any more, as long as it does not affect them. Loading that bike up on a trailer? so what, not mine. That is why I don't ride mine to work - complete lack of respect for other people's stuff. I can lock my car, can't really lock my bike.

 

I can't stand a dirty bike.

 

That would suck not having the choice to ride to work cause some dick-less piece of shit is gona fuck with your bike.

I always use a bike cover, and was lucky enough to always have a secure place to park during the work day. When I do take it to a public place I use a disk lock or a krytonite lock thru the upper tree through my brain bucket (blocks the ignition.)

You need to get yourself a "New Yawk City Bike" and you wont have to sweat your ride :smile:

 

To say that someone is a pretender because they keep their bike clean and well maintained is asinine.

I ride my road bike when the weather is nice. I have ridden on the road in snow storms but no more. My investment stays in the garage so that It will be in good shape and safe when I want to ride it. I am too old to ride something that looks like a POS. Repairing a big scratch or road rash falls into that category, I go by the 10' rule. If it looks good from 10 feet away then I am fine with it. I do my own work on almost all projects including refinishing and paint. It does pay to clean your machine on a regular basis. You will find things that need repair. It has been mentioned by others and is very true.

As far as you emulating a european, that is fine with me but under no circumstance do I want to think or act as an european. I always liked the line in reference to World War II that asked the European "...are you from the part of Europe that we saved or from the part whose ass we kicked..." Even after 70 years we spend a fortune on their defense.

 

yest, it does. Had people sit on my bike, almost right in front of me. And since the wife has a Spyder, people think that it won't hurt it because it can't tip over. I've seriously thought about coating the entire seat with Vaseline and just leave it sit somewhere for a few hours just to see if anyone does sit on it, then watch the hilarity ensue!

 

Someone sitting on your bike without asking is an ass-kicking offense.

 

Cure for people sitting on your bike

True story: My cop friend (the one that gets my speeding tickets for 104 in a 70 cut down to a parking ticket and $72 fine) says a couple times when he's been outside by his Duc watching it, he's enjoyed watching the dynamics for a while. He waits til the guy with the girlfriend/wife sits on his bike. Then, he walks up, takes the guy's girl by the hand, gently says "C'mon honey" and starts walking away with her. The guy immediately gets off his bikes and yells "What the f*$# you doin'!!!" He turns around and says "Hell, I figure it's okay for you to rub your nuts all over my shit so I figure it's okay if I do the same to yours." They shut up and apologize every time. And sometimes the girl even giggles about it.