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How
did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Just happened across the online forum at Delphi and
was happy to see a chapter
in my backyard. I joined in July of 2005.
How long have you been riding?
Been riding for over 15 years. A bunch of friends
were getting into motorcycles
shortly after high school and I got sucked in!
Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yup. Took the Advanced MSF course back in the early
90's. I plan on taking it again in '06 to brush up a
little with the new bike.
What was your first bike?
My first bike was a great learner. It was an '87
Honda 600F "Hurricane". Hey...any bike named
"Hurricane" has learner's bike written all over it,
right?!
How many bikes have you owned?
Only four bikes. My two current scoots, plus the '87
Hurricane and a '90 Suzuki GS500E.
Why do you ride?
I do it primarily because it is just sooo much fun.
Something about throwing a leg over a motorcycle and
blasting down the road that makes me smile.
Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Hmm. Never really rode with an organized group
before. I have done plenty of back road burning with
groups of crazy riders, though I wouldn't consider
it organized. More like everyone for themselves and
the last-one-is-a-rotten-egg type of group.
What modifications have you done to your bike?
Mostly comfort and safety mods. Seats, LED brake
lights, brake modules, light bar, handle bars,
grips, steel braided brake lines, and passenger
floor boards.
What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
I'm anxiously awaiting my windscreen for the V-Star.
Especially now that the weather is turning.
What is your dream bike?
I've always liked Ducati, but never owned one.
Really I'm more about the adventure than the wheels.
What kind of riding do you like to do –
straight-aways or twisties?
I prefer twisties. It's a sickness from my sport
bike riding. Straight-aways are ok as long as you
dangle some twisties in front of me.
If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell
the truth!
Oh I don't have one yet...
What is your favorite riding route?
Well there was this little twisty road that
connected Tennessee and NC. I think it was 19/23 and
maybe 25. I would take that route when visiting my
buddy in Asheville, NC. I-40 in TN (use to be I-181)
would take me from I-81 to the base of the mountains
and that little twisty road took you up, over, and
down into NC. Boy that was a fun road. I'd run that
thing so hard, I had to rest at the end because my
wrists would ache from the hard braking into the
corners.
Do you ride your bike to work?
Every chance I get. The commute is far more
enjoyable on two wheels.
What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Well, rumor has it that I once did a quick burst of
an indicated 145mph
on a straight-away down a stretch of road. (I was
trying to get to
another twisty road!)
What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Early spring. Winter is on the way out and the
mornings are nice and brisk
and the afternoons warm up just right. Makes for
good riding.
Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt
and what did you learn from the incident?
I've been down twice. I wasn't hurt either time due
to my safety gear. The first time was on a race
track (Summit Point, WV, actually). I was coming out
of the last turn heading for the straight and
...oops...ran out of track as I drifted out on the
exit. The bike was totaled. I learned that a bike
doesn't need a rider to keep going. The bike picked
itself back up after dumping me off and continued
down the straight to cross the start/finish line. I
also learned that you can get on the throttle too
early exiting a corner.
Second time was making a left onto a side street.
The road was a bit damp and I remember telling
myself: "Hmm, maybe you should brake a bit earlier
and not get in the turn so hot since the road is a
bit damp. It's probably very slick." Well, I didn't
listen to myself and I did a little low side. No
damage to the bike, but I did rip my rain suit. I
learned to listen to my little internal voice more
closely.
Have you ever done an “Iron Butt” ride?
Never have, but I am interested. Sounds like a good
challenge and I do like road trips.
If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
I've ridden from VA to Daytona, FL and back for
spring break on my little CB-1. So that was a little
over 700 miles one-way with a stop over in
Asheville. I don't recommend the CB-1 for long trips
like that.
What was the worst weather in which you’ve
ridden?
Probably the cold. I use to ride to school year
round and 15 degrees at 60mph is just miserable. I
couldn't stick my hands far enough into the motor to
get them warm. The only thing worst than the cold
like that is cold plus rain. Yuck!
Do you know how to work on your bike?
Yes. I do most of the work on the bike. I don't get
into engine rebuilds but I have rebuilt carbs, valve
adjustments and such.
What is your favorite road song?
Don't have one.
What was your most adventurous ride?
Probably that trip to Daytona Florida for Bike Week.
What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Other than hitting the tail end of Bike week in
Daytona, I really haven't done any rallies.
Is there someone who rides “two-up” with you?
My wife, Michele. She's normally with me on our
group rides. Other than commuting, she's
almost always with me when I ride.
Off the cuff from…Rob
I've only been with the group for a few months, but
Michele and I have had such a
great time on every ride. We'll just have to white
knuckle it until spring when the group starts riding
again.
Besides...I need to get to work on all those house
projects I've been neglecting.
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