Motorcycles
Motorcycles
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My best friend (Eddie- RIP) and I had much different tastes in Motorcycles. And how we road them. I bought mine because (400 Kawasaki) you could fill up the gas tank, and drive for three pay periods. And there was no "car payment." Back then, they were cheap enough for a Buck Sergeant to buy easily. So I paid cash. And saved so much in gas and no car payment, I bought my full size car two years later.
But Ed...well, he liked to hear them roar! And 100 miles an hour? Wonderful. More fun than any roller coaster in the world. And cornering with one knee an inch from the asphalt...good driving. Me? 55 mph...tops. And never once did I do a wheelie.
Of course it was reflected in our taste in cars...he had his beloved Camaro until kid number four came around. Me, unless you count either an MG Midget, or a Plymouth Fury III as Sports/Fast/Muscle cars...I went for luxury.
As Eddie said about my Caprice Classic:
"Kev, that is just a living room on wheels."
Although, he did admit it had a nice ride for X Country."
Ed was all about speed, and freedom. He liked Bikes, because you drove them alone...he didn't like anyone on the back. And he said I should be ashamed to have a Motorcycle that never topped out the speedometer.
On the other hand, I never had a strawberry that stretched from my hip to mid calf. Eddie...well, he couldn't say that.
I only had one other motorcycle, and that is when Kathy and I first got married. But that is a different story...as Kathy was more like Ed...and I was, well, scared.
But Ed...well, he liked to hear them roar! And 100 miles an hour? Wonderful. More fun than any roller coaster in the world. And cornering with one knee an inch from the asphalt...good driving. Me? 55 mph...tops. And never once did I do a wheelie.
Of course it was reflected in our taste in cars...he had his beloved Camaro until kid number four came around. Me, unless you count either an MG Midget, or a Plymouth Fury III as Sports/Fast/Muscle cars...I went for luxury.
As Eddie said about my Caprice Classic:
"Kev, that is just a living room on wheels."
Although, he did admit it had a nice ride for X Country."
Ed was all about speed, and freedom. He liked Bikes, because you drove them alone...he didn't like anyone on the back. And he said I should be ashamed to have a Motorcycle that never topped out the speedometer.
On the other hand, I never had a strawberry that stretched from my hip to mid calf. Eddie...well, he couldn't say that.
I only had one other motorcycle, and that is when Kathy and I first got married. But that is a different story...as Kathy was more like Ed...and I was, well, scared.
Motorcycles
Motorcycle Racing
Travel
Soldier
Transportation
Edited 2 d ago
Posted 2 d ago
Responses: 8
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I bought a Honda CL 360 my first year of marriage, I needed transportation since my wife needed the car to go to work. When we moved to Weldon, NC it was still my only transport.
I rode from Weldon to Raleigh, NC in a major rain storm with the temp in the 40’s. I was applying for an education grant to help me get a BSN degree. When I got to Raleigh I had to pull into a laundromat to dry my shirts, the top button on my rain jacket had opened while I was riding.
When I walked into the office of the interview, I laid down my wet outer garments and helmet in the corner of the ladies office. It was a short interview and I got the grant.
I sold the bike my first year in the AF, to help purchase a used boat. We used it to water ski and fish.
Years later, after I retired from the AF I purchased a 1200 Harley Sportster, I really enjoyed the bike, until a 70 y/o woman pulled her late model Caprice in front of my bike. I was able to return to work after 9 months and 5 surgeries.
As much as I would love to have another bike, they will have to ban cars and trucks first. Cheers
I rode from Weldon to Raleigh, NC in a major rain storm with the temp in the 40’s. I was applying for an education grant to help me get a BSN degree. When I got to Raleigh I had to pull into a laundromat to dry my shirts, the top button on my rain jacket had opened while I was riding.
When I walked into the office of the interview, I laid down my wet outer garments and helmet in the corner of the ladies office. It was a short interview and I got the grant.
I sold the bike my first year in the AF, to help purchase a used boat. We used it to water ski and fish.
Years later, after I retired from the AF I purchased a 1200 Harley Sportster, I really enjoyed the bike, until a 70 y/o woman pulled her late model Caprice in front of my bike. I was able to return to work after 9 months and 5 surgeries.
As much as I would love to have another bike, they will have to ban cars and trucks first. Cheers
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SGT Kevin Hughes
Loved the details ...loved the story....truly sorry about the Surgeries. And yeah, let's ban cars and trucks!
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SGT Carl Blas
I bought a used Honda CB-750 when working at the US naval ship repair facility, wife needed the car.
Drove it everyday, even through the rain, I think it was 1990 New Years day, I got a ticket on base for not having gloves on, I guess the MPs weren't happy working of New Years day.
Those days on base, there were so many safety rules, and you had to pass a MC safety class before you could ride on base. When pulled over, you had to present your MC safety card to the MP officer, if not, you were't allowed to ride on base.
Drove it everyday, even through the rain, I think it was 1990 New Years day, I got a ticket on base for not having gloves on, I guess the MPs weren't happy working of New Years day.
Those days on base, there were so many safety rules, and you had to pass a MC safety class before you could ride on base. When pulled over, you had to present your MC safety card to the MP officer, if not, you were't allowed to ride on base.
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I have lived both lifestyles. Enjoy the cargo my softail slim can carry over the CBR650.
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SGT Kevin Hughes
You are more "flexible" than me...I just never got into the speed thing. My son in law build his own pan head from the frame up. I sat on it...but didn't ride it. LOL
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MAJ Byron Oyler
SGT Kevin Hughes - I am short and the CBR had the lowest seat. Never went fast and I feel it handled, especially on wet pavement, better than my Harley.
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I was more like Eddie, but a tour in Tampa in the 80s got me to swear off motorcycles forever. Drivers here are too crazy.
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SGT Kevin Hughes
I understand that one. Of all the folk I know hurt, or missing a limb from their motorcycle accident, only two were from their own actions. In every other case, it was the car driver's fault. And we stopped when Kathy dropped the bike into oncoming traffic...and her Guardian Angel went into overdrive. First my helmet was on the side that hit the ground, keeping her leg from being scraped off. Second, at Noon, in Austin Texas, on the main Hwy- on a Friday ! When she slid across the double yellow line...no oncoming traffic. We sold the bike the next day.
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