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8 comments

Comment from: Hinermad
Hinermad

Diana,

What kind of bike do you have? I thought you told me once, but I don’t recall and I can’t find it in your archives.

The bike shop manager is partly correct: people don’t want to pay used retail prices for an old bike, but there’s definitely a market for used cycles. Especially where I live. People get the bug, buy a bike, then get bored with it because they can’t ride year-round and sell the bike.

Anyway, congratulations on the find. And if you need to find a home for your old bike, I’m sure I could find a home for it. (Grin)

Dave

08/26/06 @ 21:02
Comment from:

It’s a Honda Shadow 800VT, circa 1988. Silver and wineberry red.

Or I guess I should say both of them are. :)

Here’s a pic that looks quite a bit like erm…them:

http://motorcycles.about.com/library/fotos/blshadow1988b.htm

d

08/27/06 @ 10:45
Comment from: Hinermad
Hinermad

Diana,

Oho, a shaftie! VERY sweet looking bike. My son was looking over my shoulder as I viewed the picture and said, “Ooooo, pretty!” I concur.

It’s hard to tell the engine configuration from the photo. V-twin or 4 cylinder? I found another picture with a rider mounted. That’s a big steed!

Dave

08/27/06 @ 20:17
Comment from:

Yep, she’s shaft-driven. V-twin, so it has a nice growl to it, too.

I went up Pike’s Peak yesterday on it. I had to turn around 3 miles short of the summit, far above the treeline. I was freezing. I mean…it was warm in the Springs. Was I supposed to take a cue from the snow on the peak and wear a jacket and gloves or something?! Hmph.

d

08/28/06 @ 09:25
hinermad

Diana,

Okay, now you’re just showing off. (Grin) I’d love to ride Pike’s Peak. My current bike probably wouldn’t make it, but I’ll bet it’d be fun coasting back down.

If you were riding a Harley the requisite gear for climbing the mountain would have been the same jeans, T-shirt, and do-rag that you’d wear in town. But since you’re riding a metric bike, I think you’re allowed to wear something that actually protects against the elements.

Are helmets required in Colorado? They are here, but the definition of “helmet” seems to include a Tupperware bowl with a DOT sticker on it.

Dave

08/28/06 @ 11:00
Comment from: Jeff
Jeff

Hey, we should form a gang. Separated by many states between, but I’ve always wanted to be part of a biker gang. A good, clean-fun kind of gang… We could do Sturgess in matching vests or somesuch lame thing.

My little Yammy 650 probably wouldn’t make it up to the snowline either, but I’m used to wearing gloves and a jacket to protect me from dirt and bugs anyway. Plus my chain splatters the backs of my shirts with oil from time to time, so the jacket helps with that.

I am casually shopping around for something more in line with my, well, size. I should be working as hard to reduce my size, but even at my most fit, the 650 is a bit old and vibrates too much for a longer trip than across town, and I’d like to, well, visit the Springs again…among other things.

Helmets are only required here if you’re under 18 (passenger or driver), or are riding on an instruction permit. I wear a helmet anyway, ‘cause while I’m not really that pretty, I’m kinda fond of what’s inside. Not quite tupperwear, I do wear a half-helmet in the warmer months, as my all-black full-head helmet is affectionately called “the oven.”

Ride on!

08/28/06 @ 11:31
Comment from:

Helmets are optional in the Springs. I would’ve worn the jacket and gloves but it was quite warm at 7,000 ft. Who’d have thought it would get that cold?

I wasn’t wearing a helmet because I don’t like them, so I got a vicious windburn below my do-rag. Lovely. Serves me right, riding without a brain bucket… I have a very nice full-face one that I’ll wear most of the time. However, helmets actually limit your perception, which has almost gotten me plowed down a few times. You’re safer wearing one IF YOU GET HIT. The thing they don’t tell you is that you have a greater chance of getting hit if you’re wearing one.

Come on down, Jeff! We’ll gaggle together in a geek gang. Go for ice cream or something…

d

08/28/06 @ 18:53
Comment from: Jeff
Jeff

I’m in. I can’t imagine I can make the 19-hour drive in one sitting any more, but I’ll try…

As mentioned, I’ve got the half helmet, which gives the crown and a bit of the back of the noggin a bit of protection, but doesn’t have that obscuring cheek covering.

It does have a face shield (I don’t like the bug juice on my teeth) which tries to pull the helmet off as you turn your head too far to the side at speed, but with care and practice, one learns the angle at which it’s safe to tilt and turn at the same time.

08/29/06 @ 11:25