First ride in big city

Travelling, Friends, and Trips

First ride in big city

Ookie Wonderslug 06-18-2008, 12:49 PM
Had to run an errand in Charlotte at Eastway and Central Ave. Never drove a motorcycle in 6 lane heavy traffic before. Never had to deal with that many other drivers around me at the same time either. I was practically shaking on the way up there worrying about being run over or knocked off the bike. I could have taken the van, but why spend $20 in gas when I could use a little less than a gallon on the bike?

Glad I did. The drivers were inattentive and dangerous. But I managed just fine. The ride there and back was great. The bike ran like a new one and I even took the scenic route home down Rt 218.

I know a little 45 mile round trip into the "big" city isn't that big a deal for just about everyone on this forum, but I had to tell someone and my family is absolutely sick and tired of hearing about my motorcycle. They've all said so numerous times.

The funny thing is that after a flawless performance for nearly two hours in heavy traffic, residential neighborhoods and back roads I get home and don't have my leg out to catch my bike when I get in the shed and it nearly hit the ground. I caught it and stopped it in mid fall. And my back just won't let me forget it. Seriously. Ouch.

1982 CX500C "Twisted"

Re: First ride in big city

WayneDW 06-18-2008, 1:20 PM
I live in the middle of a big city and I hate riding in traffic. Give me the twistiest, sharpest switchbacks in any mountain range anytime over city driving.

My back hurts just thinking about you catching a falling bike. Have you tried Aleve? It is great for aches and pains. Take it early and take it often.

Wayne
1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate

WWW.fossilapostles.com

Re: First ride in big city

WHODAT? 06-18-2008, 2:34 PM
I used to be the same way, but after a few long trips on the bike, which forced me to go through lots of big cities, I grew used to it. Actually, the multi-lane riding worried me a LOT less than some of the neighborhoods I would drive through. You know, the places where you would ordinarily reach around and lock the doors of your car. Now THAT was scary!

1981 GL500I Original owner.

Re: First ride in big city

Sidecar Bob 06-19-2008, 3:54 AM

I grew up in a suburb of Toronto called Scarborough and used to commute up the (multi lane) Don Valley Parkway for a couple of years before I smartened up and moved away from there. Now I avoid going back there even when someone else is driving. Too many idiots with "Cracker Jack" licenses

I wish they would stop putting drivers' licenses in boxes of candied popcorn, but i guess that's the only way some of these people could possibly get them.

GX650EI + Velorex 700 (winter), '83 GL1000 (summer)
'84 CB750SC Nighthawk (died - anyone need parts?)

Re: First ride in big city

dozer1 06-19-2008, 7:13 AM
Just try riding in Boston, every day, year round. The worst, most aggressive drivers and the worst roads ever. On the upside, you can go as fast as you want. For now im in Central PA for 6 weeks, and im loving every minute of "having" to ride backroads every day

1980 CX500 Ratbike "Stella"
1979 CX500 Deluxe(Parts)
Dozer1 AKA Snowplow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK5VY90ILs&feature=related

Re: First ride in big city

wildmanwill 06-19-2008, 7:43 AM

dozer1 wrote:
Just try riding in Boston, every day, year round. The worst, most aggressive drivers and the worst roads ever. On the upside, you can go as fast as you want. For now im in Central PA for 6 weeks, and im loving every minute of "having" to ride backroads every day

Where abouts in Central PA are you?

1983 CX650 C
1983 CX650 T

Re: First ride in big city

dozer1 06-19-2008, 9:22 AM
I'm in State College, Centre County. If any of you PA folk are within a reasonable ride, i'd be happy to find some time.

1980 CX500 Ratbike "Stella"
1979 CX500 Deluxe(Parts)
Dozer1 AKA Snowplow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK5VY90ILs&feature=related

Re: First ride in big city

wildmanwill 06-24-2008, 8:20 AM
I down near Philadelphia/Reading. Oh well...

1983 CX650 C
1983 CX650 T

Re: First ride in big city

Blindstitch2002 06-24-2008, 8:46 AM
City driving gets to me to. I am ok on a 4 lane with a speed limit of 55 but when it comes to 6 lanes and 70mph I get a bit freaked. To many idiots out there. I hate people riding my ass. Just because the bike is under 7 feet long doesn't mean I deserve half the respect of a car. Saw a biker the other day coming from a beer league baseball game who had a special holder on his sissy bar to hold a bat. Didn't look like people wanted to get to close to him.

I can see it now. A case of road rage and a guy on a motorcycle chasing a car down the road swinging a bat around.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: First ride in big city

Ookie Wonderslug 06-24-2008, 9:08 AM
Went to Concord yesterday on my bike. It was an 80 mile round trip (I took the long way back so I could enjoy some curves) and the bike ran perfectly. Starting the get the hang of driving in traffic. Still freaky having so many people around and knowing that most of them aren't paying a lick of attention to anything.

I was looking at a riding jacket at Ridenow Powersports. It's in my price range, but it doesn't look like it offers much protection and is very uncomfortable. I tried on a few expensive ones too and they weren't much better. Do all the jackets feel like you're wearing cardboard? And that mesh they have. Looks like nylon. I don't see how that could offer as much protection as fairly thick denim. Does it? Maybe it slides across the pavement instead of abrates. Is that it?

This morning I went nearly to Pageland, SC to get some blades for my mower. The construction on 601 is really progressing. A few semis passed by the other way and flung debris onto my chest while I was going 55mph. It stung like Hell. How would mesh be any better? One piece left a red mark on my chest. Don't know what it was.

Closing in on 1,000 miles on my CX500. My only complaint is it makes my butt hurt too much. I really need a seat pan so I can make a custom seat.

I can possibly get a pan from CX650. Are they compatible?

1982 CX500C "Twisted"

Re: First ride in big city

dozer1 06-24-2008, 11:08 AM

Blindstitch2002 wrote:
Saw a biker the other day coming from a beer league baseball game who had a special holder on his sissy bar to hold a bat. Didn't look like people wanted to get to close to him.

I can see it now. A case of road rage and a guy on a motorcycle chasing a car down the road swinging a bat around.

My wooden slugger never leaves my side on long rides,I havent made a special holder for it, it just gets bungeed on but thats just because you never know where you'll need to play some baseball

1980 CX500 Ratbike "Stella"
1979 CX500 Deluxe(Parts)
Dozer1 AKA Snowplow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK5VY90ILs&feature=related

Re: First ride in big city

WayneDW 06-24-2008, 3:40 PM
Okie, I have a riding jacket that is goretex (or similar) with no mesh and a riding jacket with mesh. Both jackets have the "armor" in the arms and back. I only wear the goretex jacket in early spring and late fall as my cold weather jacket. That is because the mesh jacket is so much cooler in warm weather.
The mesh is suppose to let the air flow through and I think it does a good job of that. The protection for pavement sliding is suppose to come from the armor in the back, shoulder and elbows. Before I bought this jacket I would just ride in t-shirts, so I am quite confident the mesh jacket is better than that! The armor does take some getting used to and I suppose some would call it uncomfortable. I am used to it and don't notice it anymore. Of course the mesh jackets don't offer any wet protection in rain. I have a zip in liner for that which means I have to pull over when the rain starts, dig it out of the bike and zip it in. My goretex jacket is waterproof from the get go.

I put a gel cushion on my GL650 but my butt still gets numb almost immediately. I learn to ignore that as well. I don't think just swapping your pan will make any difference. There are some custom seats out there that may help. Also some people who specialize in re-doing your existing seat with high tech foam, etc.

Wayne
1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate

WWW.fossilapostles.com

Re: First ride in big city

Ookie Wonderslug 06-24-2008, 9:24 PM
I was going to do the seat myself. I figure if the back of the seat was about 3 inches further back and at a slightly different angle it would be fine. I have done upholstery before and it's not that hard to do. Was thinking about using a layer of regular foam and then put in a layer of memory foam over than and then add a thin layer of gel on that. I'm thinking it would be comfortable. But I want to keep my original seat just in case I am very wrong. There's just no way to tell until it's done. Unless it's been done by someone here. Has it?

1982 CX500C "Twisted"

Re: First ride in big city

PWG in Lowgap NC 06-25-2008, 2:45 AM
Try a sheepskin cover first. People who use them swear by them.

http://httassociation.com
82 GL500 / 66 MGB Trike "Old Yeller"
05 Suzuki S50 "Plaything"

ANY WARM DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD ONE
(unknown senior citizen)