|
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Richards Legacy..............
Richard was my Grandfather, a farmer turned machinist/tool and die after his service commitment in WWII. He wasn't a big man in fact only 5 foot 6 inches tall and about 150 lbs of solid muscle, but I dearly loved this man. It was from Richard that my love for biking began.
At birthday parties and family meetings the stories would eventually return to his exploits with his buddy Whitey. While Richard rode Harleys, Whitey rode an Indian suicide shifter and all. Their bikes were bobbed, not to make a fashion statement, but rather out of pure necessity. See they rode their bikes year round, studding the tires in the winter and chaining the tires for hill climbing which they loved to compete in.
Besides their practical bikes, they had practical riding gear. A leather jacket, work boots, gauntlet work gloves and a heavy pair of Levis jeans. They didn't wear rider motorcycle labeled attire, just the stuff they would put on to go to work, and after all it was riding not a fashion statement. They didn't have tattoo's, pierced ears, or dangling chains, as they were biking enthusiasts not trend setters.
Whitey carried his riding scars with him. A bit of a dare devil, he had more riding scar's than ten people ought to have according to Pop. Often I would sit for hours listening to the stories and viewing the black & white pictures of Richard & Whitey standing on their cycle seat, riding backwards or laying down as they rode down the streets. Their bikes covered with mud with chained tires throwing roost as they attempted to climb hills that appeared straight up for miles.
Not surprising that when I got my first of many motorcycles at age 7 I knew it would be a life long adventure. My first ride was straight into a concrete loading dock, the second a 20 foot jump over a dirt mound. Bent the forks both times, but Richard and dad were right there to help straighten things out and get me back on the road. It's also not surprising that my older and younger brother ride, although their vision of biking is much different than mine. And in the tradition of family my daughter began riding and racing at age 7 and my son at age 4.
As I stated earlier my brothers hold a different view of riding than I. They wear all the appropriate name brand clothes, polish their bikes incessantly, and adorn their body with all forms of body jewelry (tattoos). Their bikes are spotless and never a raindrop to bear. There mileage is reflective of their status. All riders each with different habits.
See from Richard I learned that it's not about how clean your bike is, the cloths you wear or the number of tattoos that adorn your body. It's about the joy of riding, the adventure at hand, the camaraderie of fellow enthusiast that share the passion to ride. I ride all over this country and have traveled by bike throughout many other nations throughout the world, experiences I will carry with me forever.
Richard has since gone to a better place and all that remains of his riding days is the belt that cinched up the bottom of his riding jacket, some awesome black and white photo's, and a family that all sharing Richards legacy of riding, even if our philosophy of riding is different.........
Ride safe all and enjoy your passion for riding to the fullest. Richard did.........
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Amen brother! My only mistake in life is that I let my parents buy me a horse instead of a mini-bike when I was a kid.
It doesn't matter to me whether my pals ride a Yamaha, Vic or HD. Let's just ride!
Cheers.  |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Well said Teach. If you don't get "that smile" on your face each time you step over the saddle you are not riding for the same reason that many of us do. I ride to work everyday that I can and can honestly say that by the time I hit the starter button I've got that same ole grin on my mug knowing that I'm doing something that most folks will never understand. I gladly accept the risks associated with riding the mean streets with all the idiots that play little to no attention to what it is that they are doing. Throwing a leg over a bike still gives me a thrill even after 57 plus years on this planet.
Ride Safe, Ride Often!!
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Bearcat - 2008-08-25 10:41 PM
Well said Teach. If you don't get "that smile" on your face each time you step over the saddle you are not riding for the same reason that many of us do. I ride to work everyday that I can and can honestly say that by the time I hit the starter button I've got that same ole grin on my mug knowing that I'm doing something that most folks will never understand. I gladly accept the risks associated with riding the mean streets with all the idiots that play little to no attention to what it is that they are doing. Throwing a leg over a bike still gives me a thrill even after 57 plus years on this planet.
Ride Safe, Ride Often!!
Amen Rick...my sentiments exactly. I also ride to work, which I think blows away most of my co-workers. They just don't understand. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 72
Eden Prairie, MN | Nice thread, guys. On the same lines, but a different aspect, I just game in from changing my oil, lubing my clutch lever, checking tires etc. When I'm not riding, these are things I do to make sure the bike is ready for the next day. I look athe the maintence schedule and do what looks like needs attention. I admit to a little cleaning and waxing, but its more about maintenance than vanity and it is relaxing. I'm trying describe that there's a relationship between me and the motorcycle, that starts with the sound of the motor, the feel of the controls and goes on as I roll on the throttle. G forces, wind, air and the elements are invigorating and somehow relaxing at the same time. Eventually I have to bring it home. When I shut it off and walk away I almost always look back at it. Finally, after dinner family etc and things cool down, I go out and get it ready for the next ride.
'sound familiar? |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | What rainmaker said +1 |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | You know what I like!?
My wife loves to ride with me! 
She just loves riding on the back and relaxing (I am afraid you she's going to fall asleep some day) Last Saturday evening we hopped on the bike and cruised several of the local small towns.
Then we stopped at a little bar and had a couple beers while chating with an old friend.
I enjoyed having a beer with my biker buddy (wife).
Then we rode home and ...... (kids were gone) 
This Sunday one of my childhood friends his having his anual chicken BBQ.
Going to shine up the bike and cruise in.
Been waiting for months to show-off the Vision to some old friends. (and to show them I really can ride a bike ... and that I have good taste in bikes!)
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | I ride to work every day that I can. I am a physical therapist at a nursing home and my kingpin tour always put a smile on some grampa or grama's face when I would take them out to look at it. You can't believe the reaction when I brought in the cherry Vision. They always ask if I still like riding or if it is getting boring. I reply that I almost wet my pants when I get on in the morning. One 96 year old lady after seeing the Vision laughed and said Icould borrow some of her Attends.
Loren Werchau
New Salem, ND
08 Cherry Premium Tour
07 Kingpin Tour |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Having not ridden for 20+ years and then getting back in the saddle for the last 3 years, not a minute has been boring. I found myself checking the weather this morning, not to decide to ride or not, but to see what to expect. It was a steady heavy rain when I left the house. About 2/3 of the ride was a drizzle or no rain at all. Then when I pulled off the expressway and hit the traffic lights, the sky opened up. The Vision does a great job of keeping the rain off on the move. My pants were drenched at the first light and it didn't let up the remaining 2 long, stop at 3 redlight, miles. I rode home in the rain yesterday the whole way and I rode the way I normally do when it is not raining. This bike is a great ride and I enjoy it regardless of the weather. I guess when I had the CB750 Custom 24 years ago with nothing else to ride for about 2 years, I got use to doing what I had to do to get around. Though I didn't have much of a choice back then, I do now, however, my Jeep sits idle in the drive weeks at a time even if it is raining or it is cold. It would sit when I had the 84 Goldwing two years prior to getting the Vision. The GL1200 had the charging problem and the battery would go dead after about 70 miles or so. so I would charge it at night, then ride it to work the next day. I would carry a spare battery just in case. I finally fixed that issue with an external alternator and even took that baby to South Texas and back putting over 3,500 miles on it in a week. I personnally don't know anyone that rides like I do, so I'm a lone wolf or sorts. I don't look forward to the weekend just to ride, but to spend time with my wife, which we'll ride somewhere to get lunch if the weather is fair. Ride on! |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | VARYDER,
It is nice to hear someone speak of their love to ride as you do. About ten years ago, I made the conscious decision to take part in what I love to do on a daily basis. I own my bike, and my wife has a car. I am like you when I check the weather, it is not to decide whether or not to take the bike, it is to know what to expect. I had been riding my 750 Shadow like most people ride large touring rigs. Now I have the Vision and I can't stay off it. I am fortunate that my wife loves to get on the bike and just go like i do. She never cares where we are going and only on rare occasions is she concerned when we will return.
Hope to meet up with you VARYDER on the roads one day. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Chesapeake I believe to be within lunch distance for the Vawaveryder. Maybe a lunch will be in the works. Then again dwhite28 you work at a Victory Dealership, he might just come up there to see the place. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | pollolittle - 2008-08-28 1:15 PM Chesapeake I believe to be within lunch distance for the Vawaveryder. Maybe a lunch will be in the works. Then again dwhite28 you work at a Victory Dealership, he might just come up there to see the place. Po, you know your geometry quit well, we're within about an hour and a half or so. In fact I was at that dealership a few months ago on a Saturday afternoon, for a few long moments. All I remember was two people standing inside as I walked in. I looked around at some T's and gandered a bike or two, then I left. Not narry a person said hi, hey, welcome to our place, let me know if you need any help, may I help you or boo. I know David couldn't have been there, because if he had seen my Vision he would have talked with me. I will be back down there again sometime, knowing he works there.
Edited by varyder 2008-08-28 4:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Po, you know your geometry quit well
Maybe he meant geography lol |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 143
Sparta, WI | That's a good story. Richard is what makes the cycle world go round. My dad never did ride but he encouraged me to get a 250 Harley when I turned 16. Without that nudge I might not be riding today. I still have no idea why he wanted me to get a motorcycle but I am glad that he did. I have a couple of tatoo's, pierced ear ( I think it has grown shut) can't ride standing on the bike frontwards or backwards but thanks to Dad I can ride and will forever be grateful. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | CoolHandLuke - 2008-08-28 4:17 PM Po, you know your geometry quit well Maybe he meant geography lol Luke - that's me, I drive my wife unit nuts because I can't say anything straight. I shouldn't have given myself away but I didn't want Pollolittle to be confused. Next time you take the toyhauler, just tow the Vision on the back and the wheel on the ground so that it'll rack up the numbers. You can sit on it while the wife drives so you can count the miles as "actual riding miles"  |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | VARYDER,
Were you at the dealership in Chesapeake? The one across from the watertower and behind the Policemans Lodge? We mostly carry BRP Jet skis and Jet Boat with only 2 or three Victorys on the floor and about 6 Iron Horse Choppers. We do all service for all of the Polaris line. I was probably there, but i usually stay in the back turning wrenchs. It almost sounds like you were at the shop in Hampton on Mercury Blvd. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | dwhite28 - 2008-08-28 10:00 PM VARYDER, Were you at the dealership in Chesapeake? The one across from the watertower and behind the Policemans Lodge? We mostly carry BRP Jet skis and Jet Boat with only 2 or three Victorys on the floor and about 6 Iron Horse Choppers. We do all service for all of the Polaris line. I was probably there, but i usually stay in the back turning wrenchs. It almost sounds like you were at the shop in Hampton on Mercury Blvd. Yo! I was at the one in Hampton, outdoor something with a Vic sign over the door, or something like that. I didn't know there was a dealer in Ches. I'll need to make a trip down that way sometime. We went to VB last Saturday, that would have been a good diversion. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | www.alloutcycles.com
Here is the website with the street address listed at the top. The only thing that sucks about the Vision, is i only live three miles from work. There are days i leave the house an hour early just to go to a Starbucks in VA Beach then back to Chesapeake for work.
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | dwhite28 - 2008-08-28 10:28 PM www.alloutcycles.com Here is the website with the street address listed at the top. The only thing that sucks about the Vision, is i only live three miles from work. There are days i leave the house an hour early just to go to a Starbucks in VA Beach then back to Chesapeake for work. That's it. I got it, the next time we come down that way we'll try to swing by. I understand that 3 mile deal. My work relocated to two different locations, one 4 miles from the house, the other 31 from the house. I opted for the 31 mile daily ride, verses the 4 mile ride. Even when I have to go to the close place, I'll take about a 15 mile ride just to get there. I don't want to start up and then shut off the motor.
Edited by varyder 2008-08-28 10:56 PM
|
|
| |
Why we ride