VTX Photo Shoot

I polished up the VTX for a Photo Shoot.








Enjoy!

Sniper

Summer Trips ???

Ok … who has major bike trips planned for the Summer?
Americade, Bike Week Myrtle Beach, Coloradicle, Sturgis…….. etc.
What are they and will this be your first trip to this location or have you been before? What do you do to get ready or how much research do you do before the trip or do you do it on the fly because you like Surprises?
Camp or Motel? Ride the scoot or trailer it? Superslab or back roads?

Just a few questions ….. as stated in one of my earlier posts, I’ve only recently gotten back into the biking scene. So I'm looking for some input here.

I'll be riding the VTX down to Knoxville, TN in June for the Honda Hoot. I convinced a buddy who has a new HD Night Rod to make the trip with me. We have different rides planned for each day. On Saturday 6/24, we’ll be doing the Tail of The Dragon over on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Can’t wait, I’m getting pretty amped just thinking about it, since I haven’t been able to ride in a week or so. Damn rain.

The club I belong to ….. The Michigan “X” Riders (www.mixriders.com)
has a charity ride entitled “Seeing Michigan”. You pay an entry fee and you must visit all five of the following locations in Michigan and take a picture of your bike in front of a recognizable landmark, post office, Fire / Police Station or some other place to use as proof you were there. Locations: St. Joseph, Alpena, Northport, Cross Village, and Bay Mills. Everyone who makes it to all five locations will have their name entered into a drawing and will win a prize at our October meeting. A major portion of the proceeds will be given to charity.I signed up for it and plan on having it completed by mid August.

So lets mount up, get our motors running and head out the highway!!!

Feel free to post any tips you may have.

Stay Safe …… Sniper

MAY - Motorcycle Awareness Month

For those of you who didn’t know, May is Motorcycle awareness month.
So if you have a car (Cage) tie an Orange Ribbon to your vehicle to signify
that you're aware and remember to always look twice before turning or
changing lanes.

On a similar note check out http://www.bikerfriend.org and get a few stickers
to share with family, friends and co-workers. I received mine just the other
day. Here is their biker creed from their web site –

Five easy steps to show you're "Biker Friendly"

1. Slap a sticker on your cage.

2. Keep an eye out for motorcyclists who are out enjoying the great roads. Even though you're probably wishing you could join them instead of sitting behind the wheel of that four wheeled monstrosity.

3. When in stop and go traffic or when stopped at a light, leave a little extra room. Riders who see the "Biker Friendly" sticker will be able to quickly identify that there is a fellow biker ahead.

4. If possible, lend a hand. If you see a fellow biker in trouble, pull over and offer your assistance. I understand that with our busy schedules, we don't always have the time to stop and help. But if you have a few minutes, sometimes that is all the time a stranded rider needs.

5. Most importantly, you must agree to extend this option to all those that ride. You must not show prejudice against those who may not meet your idea of the way a biker should be. You must promise to follow these steps even though some bikers will ride fast, slow, or while wearing inadequate gear. After all, most of us are not angels, and I'm sure we all have done something at least once in our lifetime that someone else may consider to be irresponsible or even stupid.

Enjoy and Be Safe !!!

You Didn't See Me

But, You Didn't See Me

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But, you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But, you didn't see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But, you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by.
But, you didn't see me driving behind you when you tossed your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But, you didn't see me when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless kids.

I saw you stare at my long hair.
But, you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.
But, you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.
But, you didn't see me cry as my children where born and how I have their names written upon my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But, you didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But, you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.
But, you didn't see me pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But, you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.
But, you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But, you didn't see me trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But, you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But, you didn't see me…I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family.
But, you didn't see me…Because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker...
A person with friends and a family.

BUT, YOU DIDN'T SEE ME!!

Author Unknown


Take Care...and, Stay Safe!

My Scooter .....

Hi Blog World ...... Newbe here

Ok … so I’m sitting here bored out of my mind when I decided to do a Google search on “Motorcycle Blogs”. Since I love to ride and just returned to the Motorcycle scene after a 20 year hiatus / vacation. I thought to myself…. Hmmm why not start my own Blog about my adventures in Motorcycling. When did my passion for Motorcycles begin you might ask??? I think I was about 7 or 8 years old when a friend of my Dad’s came over on a shiny BSA. He was my Dad’s cool friend, a Fireman and Motorcycle rider. Wow!! He told me to get on and hold on tight and off we went …Man what a rush. I couldn’t wait to get a Minibike so I could learn to ride, well after several Dirt Bikes and Motocross bikes I bought a road bike – Honda CB350. I buzzed around town for a couple of Summer’s until I went off to college. A few years later I bought a used CB900 Custom from a friend that was moving. Sweet bike and staying loyal to the Honda brand. Went on a few long trips and really enjoyed the scooter.
I took a weekend trip and on the way home Sunday afternoon I get nailed from behind and the bike is totaled and I end up in the hospital. Hmmm what does the man upstairs have in store for me? Anyway, I spend the next 20 years without a motorcycle and every year on the first warm Spring day, I’m thinking man it’d be great to be on a bike with a warm breeze in my face. So, after some prodding from friends who were going through their mid-life crisis and went out and bought Harley’s, I decided I’d get back into biking. After test riding a few different bikes and brands, I knew I wanted a cruiser bike and something with a big enough motor to haul my fat azz around, I’m not really fat but I’m a “Need for Speed” junkie and also need some comfort. So a crotch rocket was out of the question and those things are dangerous.
Ok…. Don’t start bashing me for knocking on the CR’s. They’re cool and fast as hell, but the way some people ride’em is down right scary. Darwin lives.
I finally decide to go with a brand new Honda VTX 1300 Retro….. damn sweet bike. I’ll post some photo’s in a few days. I picked it up last Spring and put 4,500 miles on it along with a few mod’s (Seat, Windshield, Highway Bars & Pegs, Grips, Air Horn) to name a few. I think half the fun of owning a bike is making it your own creation.

I went on a few nice trips last Summer and met a lot of friends and joined the Michigan “X” Riders, we’re a club, not a gang. We have a diverse membership with fellow yuppies like myself, truck drivers, machinist, automotive designers, engineers, etc. I’m planning on going to the Honda Hoot and Honda Homecoming this Summer.
Possibly Americade and Coloradical next year….. who knows. I need more vacation time. Boss man you reading this? I’ve rambled on long enough.

So…. Tell me why do you ride and how did it all begin????