09-12-2020, 09:48 AM
I started riding 50 years ago, just starting junior college. My first real job was assembling bikes in a Honda shop, and it's been motorcycles ever since. Back in the '70s, we put crash bars ("don't call them crash bars, they're safety bars") chrome racks with backrests, and windshields and fairings on customers' bikes.
We were young and stupid then, and that stuff was dead weight. We took centerstands off, put 4-into-1s on, along with low bars, K-81s and S&W shocks. I could see then that as people matured, comfort and safety were more important than speed and style. I was not looking forward to those days.
Nowadays, among the 3 bikes I'm regularly riding (not including the scooter - a separate embarrassment) all have the stock upright bars, 1 has a bar riser, heated grips, "engine guards (safety bars)" a rack and Givi cases. The other 2 have seats with more padding, and either a rack or a tail trunk. I even sold my 2014 Std so I could buy a 2017 with more mufflers.
I guess I have another 10 years riding, hopefully more. When that time comes, hopefully I'll look forward to a 20 mph tilting wheelchair. Gonna need my helmet for that.
We were young and stupid then, and that stuff was dead weight. We took centerstands off, put 4-into-1s on, along with low bars, K-81s and S&W shocks. I could see then that as people matured, comfort and safety were more important than speed and style. I was not looking forward to those days.
Nowadays, among the 3 bikes I'm regularly riding (not including the scooter - a separate embarrassment) all have the stock upright bars, 1 has a bar riser, heated grips, "engine guards (safety bars)" a rack and Givi cases. The other 2 have seats with more padding, and either a rack or a tail trunk. I even sold my 2014 Std so I could buy a 2017 with more mufflers.
I guess I have another 10 years riding, hopefully more. When that time comes, hopefully I'll look forward to a 20 mph tilting wheelchair. Gonna need my helmet for that.