6120 mantis on two wheels!

[PrimitiveWood]

Agree. I think the whole "start with a 250 / 350 / 450" thing is a leftover from the past.

i think the reason we all started there is that was what we could afford!--and it got us started young--
Don't know about you--but it is very rare for me to see anybody under 50 riding anymore--

 

[PrimitiveWood]

1. What's with the guys that have a sidecar AND a trailer?
Get a convertible and have one less wheel and the ability to put the roof up if it rains.

and there is.a dog in the sidecar!

4. Dress for the slide, not for the ride. Leathers can be easily replaced. Skin, not so much.
I've seen guys on rice rockets wearing gym shorts and flip flops. Good luck.

I was guilty of underdressing back when I was immortal --but it was cutoffs, a tank top and and Keds
That changed with the VFR--armored leathers-full face helmet--boy that was hot in the summer !!

5. In my college town, one main issue is that there are too many different kinds of vehicles
in too little space. From semi tractor/trailers to straight trucks, to all sizes of 4 wheel
vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, tiny electric scooters, and one-wheel electric skateboards
and manually powered rides like skateboards and bicycles, you don't know who or what is
going to be in your direct path. Then, you can't ignore the hordes of phone zombie
pedestrians that don't realize the "Don't Walk" signal is meant for them. Bicycles can
be found either on sidewalks or on the street (often splitting lanes) and seem immune to
traffic regs. Two things amaze me---many of these folks have no concept of fear, and that
there aren't far more fatalities and injuries.

I totally agree with all the above
BUT
I'm most annoyed with the current bicyclists (and I rode TOSRV 4 times, doubled it once)-- and worked off my Paris Sport in, through and around downtown traffic, while obeying ALL the same laws as if I were in a car--which was the law at the time!)--I've seen riders blow through red lights, stops signs, threaten pedestrians, and go the wrong way down one-way streets. Police would chase you off the sidewalk or make you walk it in my days--now they ride their cop bike two-abreast down the sidewalk in town as well.
And cyclists have the nerve to say "share the road" when they really mean It's MY ROAD--even though not one penny of tax dollars is paid from bicyclist--as bicyclists--except maybe sales tax on the bike/gear

OK--climbing off the soap box now

 

[cielski]

and there is.a dog in the sidecar!

I was guilty of underdressing back when I was immortal --but it was cutoffs, a tank top and and Keds
That changed with the VFR--armored leathers-full face helmet--boy that was hot in the summer !!

I totally agree with all the above
BUT
I'm most annoyed with the current bicyclists (and I rode TOSRV 4 times, doubled it once)-- and worked off my Paris Sport in, through and around downtown traffic, while obeying ALL the same laws as if I were in a car--which was the law at the time!)--I've seen riders blow through red lights, stops signs, threaten pedestrians, and go the wrong way down one-way streets. Police would chase you off the sidewalk or make you walk it in my days--now they ride their cop bike two-abreast down the sidewalk in town as well.
And cyclists have the nerve to say "share the road" when they really mean It's MY ROAD--even though not one penny of tax dollars is paid from bicyclist--as bicyclists--except maybe sales tax on the bike/gear

OK--climbing off the soap box now

I've had a bicyclist scream at me when I almost hit him as he ran a stop sign, "I HAVE RIGHTS!" You've also got responsibilities too, Zippy. I stopped at the sign. You need to as well. Bikes belong in the street (they're called sidewalks, not side rides). I don't mind sharing the road with them---IF and WHEN they obey the rules of the road. That's like 5% of them---maybe.
I've seen bicycles hit stopped cars in traffic and ride off. Who's going to pay to have those scratches cleaned up? Bike and scooter and moped don't carry insurance, much less pay taxes. Bikes plowing thru crowds on sidewalks deserve to be flogged.

 

[Bertotti]

Years ago I was standing at a crosse walk plenty of room all around but the guy on the Nike kept ringing his bell at me. Would not move over. So he is coming at me I’m facing him and I’m on the right side he is on his left side and plows right into me. Luckily I caught his bars and he about flipped over into me. He didn’t say a word backed up said sorry and rode off. There are some seriously weird people out there. I should know I’m one of the twisted ones!

 

[radd]

For sure take the course. I rode for over 50 yrs and taught the Motorcycle course for the last 15 of those years. You will be amazed at the control you will learn.

After you take the course, continue to practice emergency braking and swerveing often.

Two critical things you will learn, your front brake provides the majority of your braking. Right now you are probably somewhat scared of your front brake. Novice riders generally over brake with the rear and under brake with the front. You will learn how to control both.

You will also learn what makes a motorcycle turn…No, leaning does not turn a motorcycle. Only counter steering turns a motorcycle. Learn it, understand it and practice it often. Funny tid bit, Orville and Wilber Wright discovered counter steering, they were bicycle guys also.

Ride safe and enjoy

 

[Bertotti]

For sure take the course. I rode for over 50 yrs and taught the Motorcycle course for the last 15 of those years. You will be amazed at the control you will learn.

After you take the course, continue to practice emergency braking and swerveing often.

Two critical things you will learn, your front brake provides the majority of your braking. Right now you are probably somewhat scared of your front brake. Novice riders generally over brake with the rear and under brake with the front. You will learn how to control both.

You will also learn what makes a motorcycle turn…No, leaning does not turn a motorcycle. Only counter steering turns a motorcycle. Learn it, understand it and practice it often. Funny tid bit, Orville and Wilber Wright discovered counter steering, they were bicycle guys also.

Ride safe and enjoy

I was a minor when I took the course in Iowa. I can’t say it taught me anything I hadn’t already discovered on my own riding trail bikes but that learning curve can be painful. The course gets right to it. At my age at the time, 16, the course was required in Iowa for minors but not adults that I know of. I was talking with an insurance guy whose job was doing accident numbers. He told me irregardless of experience the biggest demographic of motorcycle accidents were people who were riding a new to them bike. Those would have an accident within the first 6 month. I wonder if that’s still true.

 

[6120mantis]

Polaris/Indian does offer a discount on bikes.
If you own a home and have house insurance you can even grab a bike for a few days.
The scouts are very cool.
I prefer the Chief.
The safety course and my own motorcycle are definitely on the list of things to do, but a few more practical steps before that happens, unless I stumble on a decent used bike with an appealing price tag.
Yes im all about helmets and protective gear.
Sputtering around a church parking lot in first gear with little to no throttle ,maybe the lord gave me the benefit of the doubt lol.
I will definetly wear one next time.

 

[MeVote]

I always armor up when I ride my KLR. Call me a wussy and I don't care. Still won't help much against a 2-ton (or more) car driven by one of the afore-mentioned idjits. Was planning to ride today (it has been a while due to summer heat) since fuel is over $6 per gallon again but when I started it up it would only idle with full choke, even at operating temperature. I foresee carburetor work in my future...

Ya, doesn’t take long for the gas to clog up carbs these days with all the fuel additives and ethanol. just a couple of months to clog a carb.



I’ve been riding for over 30 years, strong propone of Motorcycle Safety Foundation, worked in the industry for the last 20 years. Two truthes……Asphault don’t care how fast you’re moving, and it takes 3 lbs of deer to make one pound of stupid…..ride in what you slide in, and expect that car to pull out in front of you….

 

[radd]

Ya, doesn’t take long for the gas to clog up carbs these days with all the fuel additives and ethanol. just a couple of months to clog a carb.



I’ve been riding for over 30 years, strong propone of Motorcycle Safety Foundation, worked in the industry for the last 20 years. Two truthes……Asphault don’t care how fast you’re moving, and it takes 3 lbs of deer to make one pound of stupid…..ride in what you slide in, and expect that car to pull out in front of you….

Yup, dress for the slide not the ride. I live in a beach town. I have seen boys in full leathers riding sport bikes with a girls in bikinis on the back. …..One minor get off and those girls will never wear shorts in public again.

 

[Synchro]

Polaris/Indian does offer a discount on bikes.
If you own a home and have house insurance you can even grab a bike for a few days.
The scouts are very cool.
I prefer the Chief.
The safety course and my own motorcycle are definitely on the list of things to do, but a few more practical steps before that happens, unless I stumble on a decent used bike with an appealing price tag.
Yes im all about helmets and protective gear.
Sputtering around a church parking lot in first gear with little to no throttle ,maybe the lord gave me the benefit of the doubt lol.
I will definetly wear one next time.

i think that the Springfield is an amazing looking bike. I haven’t ridden in years, and don’t plan on riding in the future, but were I to take it up, a Springfield would be at the top of my list.

 

[Henry]

Yup, dress for the slide not the ride. I live in a beach town. I have seen boys in full leathers riding sport bikes with a girls in bikinis on the back. …..One minor get off and those girls will never wear shorts in public again.

Happened to someone I knew. He took his girlfriend for a ride, him in his leathers, her in his helmet. Something came up and he felt the only way to avoid a disastrous accident was to lay out flat in a less disastrous accident. She had major road rash but they both walked away.

 

[MrWookiee]

Let's be careful out there.

 

[6120mantis]

i think that the Springfield is an amazing looking bike. I haven’t ridden in years, and don’t plan on riding in the future, but were I to take it up, a Springfield would be at the top of my list.

The Springfield is my favorite also, I work on the heavyweight line and when I see that's the model to be assembled I always grin.
I can't say much about what goes on at work but it's an amazing experience and we're doing quality work.

 

[MeVote]

I’m not sure how aware you are with the history of the ‘modern Indian’. It has been restarted several times in my time in the industry. But all have failed to make a real go of it till now. Keep up the good work on this Indian Motorcycle line! It seems like it’s gonna be around for awhile. One of my dream bikes is a 40s/50s era Chief. But the older I get, the more the cost, and the more I realize I don‘t really want vintage.

 

[6120mantis]

I’m not sure how aware you are with the history of the ‘modern Indian’. It has been restarted several times in my time in the industry. But all have failed to make a real go of it till now. Keep up the good work on this Indian Motorcycle line! It seems like it’s gonna be around for awhile. One of my dream bikes is a 40s/50s era Chief. But the older I get, the more the cost, and the more I realize I don‘t really want vintage.

Yes before Polaris bought them they were in Gilroy California, Royal Enfield re branded some models as indian I think there was production in one of the Carolina states also.
There's a fellow outn in CA. Who fabricates reproductions of the original Indian era called Kiwi, Kawasaki even released an Indian tribute model .
I am a minor cog in a major legacy.
A 40s Indian is quite a motorcycle.
The ones we are building here are pretty cool.
I'm on the heavyweight line, chieftain, challenger, roadmaster ,pursuit and my personal favorite the Springfield.
My friends bike that I'm on has been molded and is a torque monster. I didn't get out of 1st, but I've watched him ride around and it's quite a bike.

 

[radd]

I have some Indian connections

My Uncle on his, many decades ago



My neighbor across the street who I bought my first motorcycle from when I was 15 yrs old. He owned the local motorcycle shop. Motorcycle Hall of Fame member “Iron Man” Ed Kretz seen here after being the first winner of the Daytona 200 when it was run on the beach in the 30’s.

 

[MeVote]

Ya, I started selling motorcycles when the Kawasaki Drifter was out. It was a cool bike. There was the bottle cap era (as we called them) that was out around 2000-2003ish. The heads looked like bottle caps. I have a customer that still has a working one, but we don’t know for how much longer.

The Royal Enfield era was back in the 50s/60s ere if I recall. It may have even been the Redding office that started it(Redding was where the English RE headquarters was until the late 60’s when the closed.

Motorcycles and guitars, is my jam!