Fear of death or injury

[Red Mist_imp]

Fighter Aircraft relate to Motorcycles better than anything else imaginable. From what I've read many WWII pilots acquired military surplus Harleys in order to continue their comradery with their buddies after the war. You're all smart guys and would know that anyways so why would fighter aircraft be off topic with bikes and the fear of death? This is all a good read so far.

Any one here read "A Question of Honor"? Enormously good book regarding the Kosciuszko Squadron during the BoB.

Ferret, I see none of the words on Carlins' list present so what's the cut off?...Crap maybe?

+1 on that, flying and riding a motorcycle or bicycle - in a higher performance envelope - definitely have a lot in common. I dinna see any of Carlin's words, either.

Lets discuss this for a moment.

What is the point of eliminating any term that may suggest a bodily function? No progress in this world of ours was ever made by denying the natural processes. Medical science would not have advanced, technology would not move forward; removing references to natural functions stems from a desire to deny the fact we ourselves are natural creatures. Now if it's an epithet or just plain foul language for the purpose of insulting someone, that's another matter.

I love to trash talk, and it's been my direct, personal experience that most racers, from World Champions on down, use the most excoriating kinds of langwidge. Why, I've heard one feller (just call me Breckinridge right now) let loose with streak of langwidge that would bring blue ruin to anyone which was inside earshot. And that cuss had three World Championships under his belt. We was trying to fix something which was wrong with his mechanicals. (This is a true story).

Jest about nine outta ten of your averidge racers will use up ever' one of Senor Carlin's words in the first sentence out, and then after that they'll serve up a string of variations on them words which will curl yore hair and bring tears into yore eyes.

It's just my experience that the majority of yore so-called outstanding and exceptional type use every kind of different langwidge relating to body parts, yore personal ancestry, yore religin, and yore part of the woods than jest about anybody.

Besides, Thanksgiving was over last November so does that mean we have permission to say pee?

+1 on that, flying and riding a motorcycle or bicycle - in a higher performance envelope - definitely have a lot in common. I dinna see any of Carlin's words, either.

Lets discuss this for a moment.

What is the point of eliminating any term that may suggest a bodily function? No progress in this world of ours was ever made by denying the natural processes. Medical science would not have advanced, technology would not move forward; removing references to natural functions stems from a desire to deny the fact we ourselves are natural creatures. Now if it's an epithet or just plain foul language for the purpose of insulting someone, that's another matter.

I love to trash talk, and it's been my direct, personal experience that most racers, from World Champions on down, use the most excoriating kinds of langwidge. Why, I've heard one feller (just call me Breckinridge right now) let loose with streak of langwidge that would bring blue ruin to anyone which was inside earshot. And that cuss had three World Championships under his belt. We was trying to fix something which was wrong with his mechanicals. (This is a true story).

Jest about nine outta ten of your averidge racers will use up ever' one of Senor Carlin's words in the first sentence out, and then after that they'll serve up a string of variations on them words which will curl yore hair and bring tears into yore eyes.

It's just my experience that the majority of yore so-called outstanding and exceptional type use every kind of different langwidge relating to body parts, yore personal ancestry, yore religin, and yore part of the woods than jest about anybody.

Besides, Thanksgiving was over last November so does that mean we have permission to say pee?


God Red Mist,

If find all of your posts rather compelling as I do Spaceman's.

What surprises me is that I find your (blatantly intentional) mis-spelling of words not only evocative, but charming. A bit like reading Chaucer or Dylan Thomas.

I wouldn't change a thing in the way you write, in fact it would be like adding water to wine, it would dilute it and ruin it.

The best thing about this forum is not the bike we're all tirelessly discussing, but the characters, the personalities, and the banter we all share.

On this note. Let's not get too anal about petty swearing (please) as I think it adds as much to a story as it (possibly) detracts from the the decorum in a very tight knit and close forum such as this

We all get on, and no venom is ever spat.

Let's just keep it sensible but not stifle 'spirited debate'.

Tortuga,

I'm sure I detected just a hint of venom being spat at your mate Chris in a recent post. But I support your sentiment.

Should you be curious about the origin of Mr Mist's linguistic ingenuity, wait—and it probably won't be long—for a miserable Pommie day when it's pi .... er ... pouring with rain, fire up your computer and hunt down Robert E Howard's Breckenridge Elkins stories. You'll discover a wonderful world of mayhem, misspelling and a capacity for blame shifting that borders on the gobsmacking. You may well also get a damned good laugh.

+1, I am merely channeling Breckinridge Elkins, a character created by Robert E. Howard. You can thank Howard for the particular strain of twisted dialect. You're gonna find the B. Elkins stories an absolute riot if you like that sort of thing. I think Howard wrote around 20 of them. You can get 'em on Kindle and Nook, too.

Fighter Aircraft relate to Motorcycles better than anything else imaginable. From what I've read many WWII pilots acquired military surplus Harleys in order to continue their comradery with their buddies after the war. You're all smart guys and would know that anyways so why would fighter aircraft be off topic with bikes and the fear of death? This is all a good read so far.

Any one here read "A Question of Honor"? Enormously good book regarding the Kosciuszko Squadron during the BoB.

Ferret, I see none of the words on Carlins' list present so what's the cut off?...Crap maybe?

+1 on that, flying and riding a motorcycle or bicycle - in a higher performance envelope - definitely have a lot in common. I dinna see any of Carlin's words, either.

Lets discuss this for a moment.

What is the point of eliminating any term that may suggest a bodily function? No progress in this world of ours was ever made by denying the natural processes. Medical science would not have advanced, technology would not move forward; removing references to natural functions stems from a desire to deny the fact we ourselves are natural creatures. Now if it's an epithet or just plain foul language for the purpose of insulting someone, that's another matter.

I love to trash talk, and it's been my direct, personal experience that most racers, from World Champions on down, use the most excoriating kinds of langwidge. Why, I've heard one feller (just call me Breckinridge right now) let loose with streak of langwidge that would bring blue ruin to anyone which was inside earshot. And that cuss had three World Championships under his belt. We was trying to fix something which was wrong with his mechanicals. (This is a true story).

Jest about nine outta ten of your averidge racers will use up ever' one of Senor Carlin's words in the first sentence out, and then after that they'll serve up a string of variations on them words which will curl yore hair and bring tears into yore eyes.

It's just my experience that the majority of yore so-called outstanding and exceptional type use every kind of different langwidge relating to body parts, yore personal ancestry, yore religin, and yore part of the woods than jest about anybody.

Besides, Thanksgiving was over last November so does that mean we have permission to say pee?

+1 on that, flying and riding a motorcycle or bicycle - in a higher performance envelope - definitely have a lot in common. I dinna see any of Carlin's words, either.

Lets discuss this for a moment.

What is the point of eliminating any term that may suggest a bodily function? No progress in this world of ours was ever made by denying the natural processes. Medical science would not have advanced, technology would not move forward; removing references to natural functions stems from a desire to deny the fact we ourselves are natural creatures. Now if it's an epithet or just plain foul language for the purpose of insulting someone, that's another matter.

I love to trash talk, and it's been my direct, personal experience that most racers, from World Champions on down, use the most excoriating kinds of langwidge. Why, I've heard one feller (just call me Breckinridge right now) let loose with streak of langwidge that would bring blue ruin to anyone which was inside earshot. And that cuss had three World Championships under his belt. We was trying to fix something which was wrong with his mechanicals. (This is a true story).

Jest about nine outta ten of your averidge racers will use up ever' one of Senor Carlin's words in the first sentence out, and then after that they'll serve up a string of variations on them words which will curl yore hair and bring tears into yore eyes.

It's just my experience that the majority of yore so-called outstanding and exceptional type use every kind of different langwidge relating to body parts, yore personal ancestry, yore religin, and yore part of the woods than jest about anybody.

Besides, Thanksgiving was over last November so does that mean we have permission to say pee?


God Red Mist,

If find all of your posts rather compelling as I do Spaceman's.

What surprises me is that I find your (blatantly intentional) mis-spelling of words not only evocative, but charming. A bit like reading Chaucer or Dylan Thomas.

I wouldn't change a thing in the way you write, in fact it would be like adding water to wine, it would dilute it and ruin it.

The best thing about this forum is not the bike we're all tirelessly discussing, but the characters, the personalities, and the banter we all share.

On this note. Let's not get too anal about petty swearing (please) as I think it adds as much to a story as it (possibly) detracts from the the decorum in a very tight knit and close forum such as this

We all get on, and no venom is ever spat.

Let's just keep it sensible but not stifle 'spirited debate'.

Let's keep this in mind, wise words indeed. We're grownups, not kids, and we got a good thing going here.

Spare the rod, spoil the child, mayhap, but are we not all men and have we not all tasted meat? Are we to eat porridge and pablum after having supped with Kings?

[flynrider]

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

In the realm of risk, they can be quite similar. Many years ago on an aviation forum, some of the more statistically inclined members ran years of statistical data and concluded that flying (non-commercially) carried a similar risk per mile as riding a motorcycle. Cages and commercial flying were a lot less risky, but where's the fun in that?

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

If you play your cards right, you can be in control every time you board a plane. All it takes is time and money.

Since you mention it, as a pilot, I do not care for flying commercially. I too prefer to be in control of my fate (not to mention my shoes). I've only flown on a commercial flight once in the past 15 yrs.

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

I have my limits. Last month I started to ride to the airport to do a bit of plane maintenance. In the first 3 miles of the 23 mile ride a distracted cager forced me out of my lane and into the bicycle lane. Another distracted driver came screeching to a stop at a traffic light, right onto the spot where I had been before I escaped into the space between the two cars ahead. The topper was a dove that commited suicide by flying into my faceshield at 45 mph. While I'm not a superstitious person by nature, I was genuinely concerned at what the remaining 20 miles would bring. I turned the bike around and rode home.

[Cormanus]

My late father was flying reconnaissance in a Mustang when he was shot down. Waste of a plane. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp.

Very good thread this, centered on risk taking. For those with an interest in WWII aircraft and the Spitfire especially, a link to a short film about US reconnaissance pilots who flew the iconic plane.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

My apologies for getting off topic a bit.

Very good thread this, centered on risk taking. For those with an interest in WWII aircraft and the Spitfire especially, a link to a short film about US reconnaissance pilots who flew the iconic plane.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

My apologies for getting off topic a bit.
Thanks for that, Redbirds. Fascinating. So the US pilots were flying Spitfires while my father, a Pommie, was flying a Mustang for photo reconnaissance.

Why the dickens did you bring that up?

How could he possibly have guessed, or is this "wrapping in jeweller's cotton" part of some never ending historical slide? What a horrible thought.

Warning: this post may contain the hint of a pun.

I hope you googled that up. If not, then not only are you a gentleman, you are also a scholar. And that's scary.

Quote:part of some never ending historical slide?. I am afraid so.

Cheers

I hope you googled that up. If not, then not only are you a gentleman, you are also a scholar. And that's scary.

Quote:part of some never ending historical slide?. I am afraid so.

Cheers
Pterodactyl, I'm afraid I googled it, but I have read Bleak House a very long time ago. The Tasmanian author, Richard Flanagan, has written a curious novel about Dickens and other things. It's called Wanting.

It's the six degrees of separation thing. My first instructor was on RAF loan. He was a remarkable man. His last tour was PR Spits. Sky blue colour and pressurised, not sure which model, probably about the Mark VIII so so. He would say that he preferred the peace of high altitude flight to mixing it at low level with those with teeth. This from a man who started on Hurricanes in '40 and was a DFC and more. A real gentleman with a sense of modesty that was remarkable. When pushed for "warries" they were always about his colleagues rather than himself. I think I was one of his greatest challenges. When he passed me on his only comment was "If you last a thousand hours you will probably be OK".

Our American friends, I think Tom Brokaw specifically, coined a phrase the Greatest Generation. That, of course, simplifies history somewhat, however your Dad, and all those others from that era could give us some valuable lessons in the "Right Thing", rather than the "Right Stuff".

Have read and enjoyed the The Unknown Terrorist so will give Wanting a burl.

Cheers[/u][/b]

Very different books. The Unknown Terrorist was a different style of books from his others.

[Red Mist_imp]

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

In the realm of risk, they can be quite similar. Many years ago on an aviation forum, some of the more statistically inclined members ran years of statistical data and concluded that flying (non-commercially) carried a similar risk per mile as riding a motorcycle. Cages and commercial flying were a lot less risky, but where's the fun in that?

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

If you play your cards right, you can be in control every time you board a plane. All it takes is time and money.

Since you mention it, as a pilot, I do not care for flying commercially. I too prefer to be in control of my fate (not to mention my shoes). I've only flown on a commercial flight once in the past 15 yrs.

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

I have my limits. Last month I started to ride to the airport to do a bit of plane maintenance. In the first 3 miles of the 23 mile ride a distracted cager forced me out of my lane and into the bicycle lane. Another distracted driver came screeching to a stop at a traffic light, right onto the spot where I had been before I escaped into the space between the two cars ahead. The topper was a dove that commited suicide by flying into my faceshield at 45 mph. While I'm not a superstitious person by nature, I was genuinely concerned at what the remaining 20 miles would bring. I turned the bike around and rode home.

In the realm of risk, they can be quite similar. Many years ago on an aviation forum, some of the more statistically inclined members ran years of statistical data and concluded that flying (non-commercially) carried a similar risk per mile as riding a motorcycle. Cages and commercial flying were a lot less risky, but where's the fun in that?

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

If you play your cards right, you can be in control every time you board a plane. All it takes is time and money.

Since you mention it, as a pilot, I do not care for flying commercially. I too prefer to be in control of my fate (not to mention my shoes). I've only flown on a commercial flight once in the past 15 yrs.

This thread just gets better!

I love the parallel betwixt bikes and flying. I have the same trepidation stepping on board a plane (I don't fly them) as I do jumping on my bike. More so on the plane as although it's statistically safer, I'm NOT IN CONTROL!! Very worrying for me..

I've ridden bikes (well one) at 174mph.

I've nearly killed myself numerous times by 'pushing the envelope' or whatever that expression is, yet I've survived.

I think, just maybe, the risk makes it fun, albeit retrospectively.

How many times (for the non pilots and mere riders amongst us) have you saddled up with a weird feeling of terror or dread about you, expecting this to be your last two wheeled foray, only to come home hours laters totally fine?

And then you wallow in the almost post-coital numbness of survival. Sitting with cold knees and a cold beer, feeling like you cheated death once again, whilst recalling all the highlights of the ride...

I have my limits. Last month I started to ride to the airport to do a bit of plane maintenance. In the first 3 miles of the 23 mile ride a distracted cager forced me out of my lane and into the bicycle lane. Another distracted driver came screeching to a stop at a traffic light, right onto the spot where I had been before I escaped into the space between the two cars ahead. The topper was a dove that commited suicide by flying into my faceshield at 45 mph. While I'm not a superstitious person by nature, I was genuinely concerned at what the remaining 20 miles would bring. I turned the bike around and rode home. Well when we pilots can control the weather that will be real control! But we can choose not to fly as you chose not to ride. And we have to ask ourselves the difficult question, as this wounds our pride: "Am I having all these incidents and near misses because the world is just out to get me today, or am I "off" and not picking up on or anticipating things?"

The world doesn't normally change that much in a day; with that many close calls it's probably a good move to head back for the barn, regardless of why.

My late father was flying reconnaissance in a Mustang when he was shot down. Waste of a plane. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp.

Very good thread this, centered on risk taking. For those with an interest in WWII aircraft and the Spitfire especially, a link to a short film about US reconnaissance pilots who flew the iconic plane.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

My apologies for getting off topic a bit.

Very good thread this, centered on risk taking. For those with an interest in WWII aircraft and the Spitfire especially, a link to a short film about US reconnaissance pilots who flew the iconic plane.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY

My apologies for getting off topic a bit.
Thanks for that, Redbirds. Fascinating. So the US pilots were flying Spitfires while my father, a Pommie, was flying a Mustang for photo reconnaissance.

Why the dickens did you bring that up?

How could he possibly have guessed, or is this "wrapping in jeweller's cotton" part of some never ending historical slide? What a horrible thought.

Warning: this post may contain the hint of a pun.

I hope you googled that up. If not, then not only are you a gentleman, you are also a scholar. And that's scary.

Quote:part of some never ending historical slide?. I am afraid so.

Cheers

I hope you googled that up. If not, then not only are you a gentleman, you are also a scholar. And that's scary.

Quote:part of some never ending historical slide?. I am afraid so.

Cheers
Pterodactyl, I'm afraid I googled it, but I have read Bleak House a very long time ago. The Tasmanian author, Richard Flanagan, has written a curious novel about Dickens and other things. It's called Wanting.

It's the six degrees of separation thing. My first instructor was on RAF loan. He was a remarkable man. His last tour was PR Spits. Sky blue colour and pressurised, not sure which model, probably about the Mark VIII so so. He would say that he preferred the peace of high altitude flight to mixing it at low level with those with teeth. This from a man who started on Hurricanes in '40 and was a DFC and more. A real gentleman with a sense of modesty that was remarkable. When pushed for "warries" they were always about his colleagues rather than himself. I think I was one of his greatest challenges. When he passed me on his only comment was "If you last a thousand hours you will probably be OK".

Our American friends, I think Tom Brokaw specifically, coined a phrase the Greatest Generation. That, of course, simplifies history somewhat, however your Dad, and all those others from that era could give us some valuable lessons in the "Right Thing", rather than the "Right Stuff".

Have read and enjoyed the The Unknown Terrorist so will give Wanting a burl.

Cheers[/u][/b]

Very different books. The Unknown Terrorist was a different style of books from his others.

Very different books. The Unknown Terrorist was a different style of books from his others. Speaking of reading, Robert Howard gave me a good idea for a name for my gunmetal FZ8: Dark Agnes

She's another of his greatest characters. Tolkien simply channeled her when he created Eowyn.

In point of fact Tolkien lifted every single element and character in TLOTR from REH. Howard scholars have already done a fine forensic analysis on this lively topic.

Dark Agnes is a bad-ass, sword-wielding wench who doesn't take any crap (can I write that?) from disrespectful men. Generally a dagger in the heart or a sword through the neck is the result of disrespect.

It were better for me that I respect her. As a foe the doxy had rather take my head.

[evanworld_imp]

On a leisurely ride with 2 friends (each of us on our own bikes) doing the speed limit out of nowhere a Harley with a passenger roared past us on a 2 lane road. He swerved into the lane in front of us, attempted to adjust to a big curve, I saw sparks as he missed the curve and headed into a field with trees and brush. What haunts me is the image of his passenger bobbing up and down trying to stay on the bike as it went off road. The bike disappeared in a plume of dust and we stopped and looked at each other in shock. When we got to the scene the driver tended first to his bike while his passenger was flat on her back. He was in shock and begged us not to call the police. He had been drinking at a bike rally. I stood back and called 911. He was a man destroyed just seconds earlier feeling superior to those who were standing by him and his wife/girlfriend.

In my 6 years of riding the biggest offenders have been fellow cyclists who by blazing past you are forming a judgement on your riding and bike. The divisive cycle culture is maddening and fortunately most folks are gracious and accepting. This was a scene I wish I hadn't seen but it was a tremendous lesson in operating with your head and remaining an alert and defensive rider.

[Ridem32_imp]

Great post. Sad but I sure done agree with drinking and driving. I don't drink at all. But it's always sad and bad when anyone wrecks car, bike etc. I hope their both ok and recover
Michael
Done=don't

[MFGUSA_imp]

Wow Evan, way to step into CB1100 .com with that one.
Poor judgment on the passengers part as well for climbing on board. Did they have helmets on?

[..feeling superior to those who were standing by him and his wife/girlfriend.]
I kind of feel that way about a good many of them.

[evanworld_imp]

Great post. Sad but I sure done agree with drinking and driving. I don't drink at all. But it's always sad and bad when anyone wrecks car, bike etc. I hope their both ok and recover
Michael
Done=don't

They both survived. We were on Vashon Island and shared a ferry with the ambulance to Seattle. Had it been catastrophic they would have been air lifted. Both wore helmets and the right gear from what I could tell. It keeps me clear-eyed on how things can shift in a minute and that a bigger, more expensive ride doesn't mean a damn thing if it's piloted by a nimrod. I ride just as often as I did when I saw the crash and I continue to be safe while having a blast.

Wow Evan, way to step into CB1100 .com with that one.
Poor judgment on the passengers part as well for climbing on board. Did they have helmets on?

[..feeling superior to those who were standing by him and his wife/girlfriend.]
I kind of feel that way about a good many of them.

Yeah I go on a ride feeling solidarity with all 2-wheeled vehicles whether it's a scooter or a monster and it's a bummer the decent people have to share the road with folks with a chip on their shoulder.

[Tyke57nz_imp]

Fixed it for you;

"the Mustang can do everything the Spitfire can do, except win the Battle of Britain.


Tally Ho Chaps! What!

No; but then again, the Mustang didn't exist during the BoB, which was all wrapped up in 1940.

You know the Mustang was designed for the British, of course. But the American Allison engine wasn't sufficiently supercharged for high altitudes. We stuffed in a Merlin, then began mass-producing them here in the Colonies (Packard). A kick-ass plane.

P-38's used Allisons but they were turbosupercharged. More room in the twin booms.

The Battle of Britain? Holy crap, how old are you guys?!!

Old enough for our heroes to be WWII fighter pilots! Dick Bong (yes, that's his name), Pappy Boyington, Chuck Yeager...let's not forget the bomber pilots: James Doolittle, Jimmy Stewart (yes, THAT Jimmy Stewart), Paul Tibbets...

No; but then again, the Mustang didn't exist during the BoB, which was all wrapped up in 1940.

You know the Mustang was designed for the British, of course. But the American Allison engine wasn't sufficiently supercharged for high altitudes. We stuffed in a Merlin, then began mass-producing them here in the Colonies (Packard). A kick-ass plane.

P-38's used Allisons but they were turbosupercharged. More room in the twin booms.

The Battle of Britain? Holy crap, how old are you guys?!!

Old enough for our heroes to be WWII fighter pilots! Dick Bong (yes, that's his name), Pappy Boyington, Chuck Yeager...let's not forget the bomber pilots: James Doolittle, Jimmy Stewart (yes, THAT Jimmy Stewart), Paul Tibbets... Douglas Bader, Stanford-Tuck.... the list is endless, having just had the ANZAC day commenerations brings home just what we owe these young men. JThe bi annual warbirds show at Wanaka is absolutely amazing as you can get really close to the machinery and aircraft. http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/aircraft.html

[Tortuga_imp]

On a leisurely ride with 2 friends (each of us on our own bikes) doing the speed limit out of nowhere a Harley with a passenger roared past us on a 2 lane road. He swerved into the lane in front of us, attempted to adjust to a big curve, I saw sparks as he missed the curve and headed into a field with trees and brush. What haunts me is the image of his passenger bobbing up and down trying to stay on the bike as it went off road. The bike disappeared in a plume of dust and we stopped and looked at each other in shock. When we got to the scene the driver tended first to his bike while his passenger was flat on her back. He was in shock and begged us not to call the police. He had been drinking at a bike rally. I stood back and called 911. He was a man destroyed just seconds earlier feeling superior to those who were standing by him and his wife/girlfriend.

In my 6 years of riding the biggest offenders have been fellow cyclists who by blazing past you are forming a judgement on your riding and bike. The divisive cycle culture is maddening and fortunately most folks are gracious and accepting. This was a scene I wish I hadn't seen but it was a tremendous lesson in operating with your head and remaining an alert and defensive rider.

This last paragraph holds some weight.

It's very true that having another bike in your mirrors can cloud your judgment or bring on the Red Mist (if he's on his FZ8 or Gixxer...panic!)

As a young man I would do ANYTHING IN MY POWER to keep that mother funker behind me, and nearly lost my life a few times trying to prove to a 'person' who I dint know or care about that I was faster then they.

Since owning the CB, I've only been overtaken by one vehicle. Some craze-ball on a Triumph Daytona hoofed it past me as he was sitting on my back wheel before I gave a courtesy left signal and let him pass. I was at 300 miles or so (disclaimer).

I think my nature makes me chase people on other bikes, thankfully being in the run in phase I held back.

I bought this bike to,'calm down' but I don't think I will.

The videos where the bloke's chugging along enjoying views, mountains, and livestock, with an invigorating sound track never feature the 'rider' being pursued for miles by some 28 year old wannabe on his R6...do they?