gunnerbob
PEW Professional
2000 R1, 2003 FJR. I had to quit riding several years ago (rode for 42 years) because of collateral damage to my cochlea from CyberKnife radiation to blast a skull base tumor. I've ridden a bit on the FJR since then, but the R1 I had to let go. I fell again today (not on the bike), have to use a cane for balance, so I think I'm not going to tempt the grim reaper and quit before I kill myself, or someone else...(sigh).
Riding motorcycles was an addiction, especially high-powered sport bikes for the last 25 years, and I was 56 in the R1 piccy. I can't fly any more either.
Chen, that custom V-Max sure brought back some memories. Original ZX900 Ninja I had, seems like '83 or '84. I really liked that bike.
Here's a link I call "dragging hard parts" on the FJR. Most done with my wife on board, but some done with me solo. She used to hate the scraping sounds. I scraped the can on my R1 once, solo. Felt I was at the edge with no room for error. Skins for the R1 usually lasted me 1500 miles and spent close to 3 grand the first year I had it, including mounting and balancing. Edges wore-out faster than the center. Slowed for the straights, and nuttin' but loud handle in the corners.
Dragging Hard Parts Photos by r1derbike | Photobucket
Finally, a piccy of my lovely wife Petra:
Link Removed
My first bike was a Honda 50 in 1969. I planned to go to woodstock on it, but at age 14, my parents thought it may be a bad idea...
Damn, I'm sorry you aren't able to ride like you want anymore... I agree, motorcycles are an addiction. At my last base, where we had some awesome mountain roads and a track an hour away... I pushed the limits almost every weekend. Back then, I also had an '05 ZX636 with a few mods (nothing major) that I thrashed the hell out of! Since we moved in 2012 I've cooled the jets a bit and the SV does everything I need it to do, sport bike wise. In reflection, I realize that one of the driving factors for why I rode so fast and dangerously was I had just done a tour in Afghanistan... I had a hard time filling the adrenaline void left after coming home. To this day and for the rest of my life, I will attest that there is no high like the one you get during a firefight... Damned if I didn't try though...
Anyway, thanks for telling us a little about yourself.
Cheers, brother.