Posted on Mar 20, 2014
How many other motorcycle enthusiasts do we have out there?
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<p>Riding is/was my hobby. I still love riding and love everything about motorcycles. However, I left my bike in storage before PCSing to Japan due to some of the laws and regulations here. </p><p> </p><p>I often joke that I miss my bike more than some of my family back in the states. Or is it a joke? lol I've been riding since I got on my first dirt bike when I was about 7 or 8. I love everything about riding and the feeling of freedom I get while on a bike. </p><p> </p><p>I was the motorcycle mentor for a little over a year at my last unit and it was probably one of the best "additional" duties ever! lol I loved helping new riders learn how to ride and pick out the "perfect" bike for them. I was always available to talk to another rider or help wok on another riders bike. Whatever they needed. I always stressed the importance of PPE. I am big on PPE. I am glad the Army enforces the boots, long sleeves, gloves etc...I always used it before the Army and still do every time I ride. </p><p> </p><p>Here are a couple pictures of my bike. Anyone else feel like sharing their love for motorcycling? Or their thoughts on the PPE? I know PPE is a big debate for some people. </p>
Motorcycles
DoD
Army
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 60
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I bought my first MC 1 week after arrival in Germany in 1984 and rode it all over Europe & Germany. I sold that bike in 1989 after I came back to the states because I rarely had time to ride it and enjoy it. Last year, 25 years later, I bought another bike, much to my wife's dismay. There is nothing like the feel of a MC ride and I cannot wait for spring weather to arrive in Ohio and for the salt & gravel on the roads to get washed off so that I can get back in the wind!
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
Nice bike 1SG! I definitely don't miss having to wait for winter to be over to ride.
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I LOVE riding! I am a member of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association and we have a good mix of combat vets from all services, and a good mix of retired/active duty vets as well. One of my favorite additional duties was the company motorcycle safety mentor, and I had a blast doing it. I would even jump in on a riders course that didn't have enough people so it could still happen, plus it was a way to ride just that much more! Our CVMA chapter has done things like ride with the Patriot Guard and Warriors Watch riders, escorting our fallen brothers-in-arms, and we have done things like helping raise flags for memorial day ceremonies. I love where we live too (central coast of CA) because it is pretty much riding weather all year round! Here are some pics. My bike is the Heritage Softail on the right. And I should note that even Santa rides a motorcycle at my house!
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
That's awesome! The Heritage Softail Classic is one of my favorite bikes around. I'm planning on joining the CVMA when I return to the states as long as there's a chapter close to wherever I go. Ride safe and keep the rubber side down!
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2007 H-D Road King Custom
*hey, they get cold too...
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My dad is a motorcycle enthusiast. Although he is not serving nor a veteran, he supports the military. In September 2012 - February 2013, my dad and my late mother stayed in Panama City, FL for medical reasons (mother was dying of cancer, wanted her last few months to a year in serenity and warm weather) rode with the Wounded Warriors and carried a flag for fallen soldiers when they arrived from the airport.
The first picture is my dad and my late mother beside his 2006 Yamaha V-star custom full-ride and the second picture you can see the flag that they carried. The motorcycle I am referring to is the very first one to the right up front. On their vests they have multiple patches, including a POW/MIA, and an American Flag. On my dad's vest he has all my old ranks and an old MP patch that I gave him; On my mothers vest she has (hanging in a frame at my dads' house on the wall) a pin that says, "My daughter is in the U.S. Army". I honestly don't know anyone who can support troops more than that, but I am also their daughter. :) Sadly, my dad doesn't ride as often, because he says that "It isn't the same without your mother." Apparently, a 98lb woman DOES make a difference. LOL. Yes, my mother only weighed 98 lbs. And close to 70 when she passed in May that very same year.
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SSG (Join to see)
That is touching. Many people don't understand the type of bond built between a couple that ride together.
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I "rode" my first bike when I was around 4 years old and have been infected ever since. My friend purchased a Honda Dream 160 (i think) an 1962 and I borrowed this mechanical nightmare of a rice burner often. It broke down as often as it ran, but I learned a lot about tinkering. <div><br></div><div>Then a few more Japanese bikes and when I was in Naples I got a Norton 850 Interstate. Rode that bike a lot and even paid to bring it back to the States. What a difference it was riding inn the States again. Sold the bike and got transferred to Hawaii. Moved back to the Mainland a a few years went by without a bike. Always wanted one and finally got this one: a 1988 Harley Heritage Softtail. When i retired and went back to college I rode this almost every day it was not raining hard to and from school. Plus for fun and playing around. Yes, I still have it and still enjoy it. But sometimes we do take the Smart - it does have heat, AC, and windows. Meow. </div>
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CMDCM Gene Treants
BTW. TAKE the Motorcycle Safety Course. I was a 55 year old rider when I took it and learned a lot of new things and a safer way to ride. Old Sailors (and Dogs) can learn new tricks.
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
That is a very sharp looking Heritage you got there. I couldn't agree more about the MSF Course. Regardless of how long you've been riding it's a good course to learn some new tricks and help you get away from bad habits that you might not even know you have.
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Love riding! Way back in the day, started with a Kawasaki Ninja 600R (back in the late 80's. Later, moved onto a Honda CB750....later yet, moved to Honda Shadow Sabre, then got the Harley in 2004. Have about 35k miles on it so far, wish it was more!! Have been to Sturgis once. Here are a couple of my best pics of the bike....the one shows my best riding parter, my daughter. She has been riding with me off and on since age 3. Looking forward to summer and putting down a few more miles!! I have ridden with Patriot Guard to more military funerals then I care to think about... I am not a member of any MC, simply because they are not "for me", but feel that they are a great thing to those that want to be a part of it! Keep the shiny side up!! (FYI, I never ride without a helmet, nor do I allow my daughter to ride without. Helmets, while maybe not visible in the pics are in use!)
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
I've been to Sturgis as a kid during a family vacation. But it was no where near the same time as the rally and it was more for Mount Rushmore and all the other wonderful stuff to do around there. I can't even imagine how great it would be to ride some of those roads and see some of that beautiful scenery from a bike.
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Maj Chris Nelson
Riding Sturgis area is fantastic on a bike. What is funny is seeing that "1 lonesome car" amid 10s of THOUSANDS of bikes. I actually felt sorry for the car drivers...they could not find any parking due to the number of bikes parked in every pull out. Truly, one of my favorite rides so far. 5k miles in 10 days, I was a bit saddle sore at the end, of course, the last day, it was time to sleep in my own bed....938 miles on the last day. THAT day was long....and only about 110*F.
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Ride on man! I've been riding since I was 5. I have had a slue of bikes, always two at a time. I got to have a dirt bike and road bike. I ride a 2013 HD Road Glide and 2009 Honda CRF450X. You ought to look into riding CVMA. Like minded folk that share the love of twisting throttle!<div>Keep the rubber side down, loud pipe save lives!</div><div>Godspeed.</div>
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
Nice bike man! I plan on upgrading mine when I get back to the states. I have looked at CVMA. I was going to join back at Bliss but then found out I was coming to Okinawa. I will be joining once I get back to the states. No doubt about it.
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I am on my 8th Harley. 07' FXSTI. My current "Baby"!
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I have had many bikes of all makes. Honda, Yamaha's. Kawasaki but my favorite and last I'll ever own will be a HD. I currently have a 2010 Street Bob. Love it. I have had a Road King. A Low rider and a Heritage Classic but I love my Street Bob. Maneuvers well. Rides nice. Simple. Love it. I have also enjoyed looking at the bikes in this thread. Ride safe brothers.
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SSG Byron Howard Sr
Here's an old war bike. Harley with solid wheels, opposing cylinders, and shaft drive. Only made about 1000 they for use in the desert in Africa.
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